PENANG OTAK OTAK - MFF PENANG #3

 Recipe adapted by Travellingfoodies

For wrapping
10 pieces of banana leaves, each about 18 x 20 cm
10 toothpicks with pointed ends (traditionally, the hardened mid-rib of coconut leaves were used)
20 daun kaduk (daon kadok). choose the younger leaves which are more pungent(

For the custard paste
500g of fresh fish meat, ikan tenggiri or other white fish varieties, cut into small chunks
250 ml thick coconut milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 heaped tbsp of rice flour
6-8 daun limau purut, finely julienned (I find it easier to use scissors to snip)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt

For the Rempah
15 shallots, peeled and sliced
5 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
5-6 fresh red chilies, deseeded and sliced (for more heat, leave the seeds on)
10-12 dried red chilies, soaked in hot water until soften and drained
thumb-length knob of lengkwas (galangal), peeled and sliced finely
thumb-length knob of kunyit (tumeric), peeled and sliced finely
3 batons seray (lemongrass), lower white portion only, sliced finely
2 tsp of toasted belacan, crushed coarsely into powder

Toasting of belacan can be easily done over placing the pieces of belacan over a piece of aluminium foil in old wok or kuali. The unmistakable aroma would tell you that it is ready!

Method
1.To prepare rempah, blend all the ingredients into a fine paste.
2.To prepare otak filling, place all custard paste ingredients and rempah in a large bowl and mix well.
3.Cover the mixing bowl with clingfilm and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
4.To prepare banana leaves, carefully wilt the cut out pieces of banana leaves over a gentle flame or in a wok of boiling water to soften them. Pat dry and set aside.
5.To wrap, first place a piece of banana leaf over a flat surface.
6.Place 1-2 pieces of daon kadok as the base and scoop generously 2-3 tbsp of marinated otak filling over the leaves.
7.Bring up the two longer sides of the banana leaf and with the other hand, fold over the shorter end of the piece to meet in the centre and repeat for the other side. Fasten parcel with a toothpick.
8.Repeat procedure until all the ingredients and banana leaves are used up.
9.Steam the otak parcels over rapidly boiling water and high heat for 10-15 min.
10.Serve immediately with rice, bread or on its own as a snack.

I am submitting this post to Malaysian Food Fest, Penang Month hosted by Alan of Travellingfoodies