Pecel Lele Lamongan Recipe

Origin: Lamongan, Indonesia | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Pecel Lele is a popular street food dish from Lamongan, East Java. It features crispy deep-fried catfish served with spicy sambal and fresh vegetables. This dish is known for its bold flavors, crispy texture, and simple yet delicious combination of ingredients.

Ingredients

For the Catfish:

• 4 medium-sized catfish, cleaned and gutted
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• Oil for deep frying

For the Sambal:

• 10 red chilies
• 3 cloves garlic
• 5 shallots
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp shrimp paste (terasi), roasted
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

For Garnish & Side:

• Fresh basil leaves
• Cabbage, sliced
• Cucumber, sliced
• Steamed rice

Instructions

Preparing the Catfish:

1. Rub the catfish with lime juice, salt, and turmeric powder. Let it marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a deep fryer or pan over medium heat.
3. Fry the catfish until golden brown and crispy, about 10 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Making the Sambal:

1. In a pan, heat 2 tbsp oil and sauté chilies, garlic, shallots, and tomatoes until softened.
2. Blend or grind the mixture with shrimp paste, salt, sugar, and lime juice until smooth.
3. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Serving:

1. Serve the fried catfish with warm steamed rice.
2. Top with sambal and garnish with fresh vegetables.
3. Enjoy your Pecel Lele Lamongan with extra sambal for more heat!

Tips

• Use fresh catfish for the best taste and texture.
• Marinate longer for deeper flavors.
• For extra crispy skin, fry the catfish twice at high heat.

Conclusion

Pecel Lele Lamongan is a simple yet flavorful dish that embodies the essence of Indonesian street food. The crispy catfish paired with spicy sambal makes for an irresistible meal. Try making it at home and enjoy the taste of Lamongan!