Fried Fish (Indian Mackerel / Ikan Kembong) with Kicap Lemak Manis Dipping Sauce | BIG Bites MY

Fried Fish (Indian Mackerel / Ikan Kembong) with Kicap Lemak Manis Dipping Sauce
Indian Mackerel / Ikan Kembong is one of my favorite little fishes - just seasoned with a little salt and fried - so yummy! There are so many ways to jazz it up too with different dips and sauces. The Kicap Lemak Manis dip is a sweet and refreshing sauce to go with this fish. And if you like it a bit tangy, just add a squeeze of lime. Yums! Preparing this dish SO EASY LAH - all done in under 30 minutes. The recipe shown here feeds one, just double up accordingly if you are cooking for more. I just love to drown my rice with the dip!

Watch video for step-by-step method of preparation

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes Serving: 1 (increase portions accordingly if you are cooking for more)

Ingredients:

• 1 Indian Mackerel or any fish of your choice (gutted and cleaned)
  
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Oil for deep frying
  
  
• Dipping Sauce
• 30ml (2 tablespoons) Kicap Lemak Manis
• 1 Thai chili
• 1 shallot
• 5 cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 Japanese cucumber

Method

1. Dipping Sauce:
• Dice Japanese cucumber and cherry tomatoes
• De-seed and dice Thai chili
• Peel and thinly slice shallot
• Place Japanese cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Thai chili and shallots in a bowl and add Kicap Lemak Manis
• Stir to combine. Set aside for later.
2. Score fish on both sides
3. Rub salt all over fish and set aside
4. Heat oil over MEDIUM LOW heat
5. Pat dry fish with kitchen towel
6. When oil is hot, deep fry fish until golden brown
7. Serve fish hot with the Kicap Lemak Manis dipping sauce on the side or drizzle the sauce over the fish

Notes: 

• The Japanese cucumber and cherry tomatoes will dilute the Kicap Lemak Manis, so the sauce won't be so thick after it has been sitting for a while. If you don't like it so diluted, you can first cure the diced cucumber and tomato with some salt, set it aside for a while to "sweat" and then discard the liquid before adding them to the Kicap Lemak Manis mixture. 
• You can serve it with some lime at the side - so if you prefer the dipping sauce to be a bit tangy, just add a squirt of lime