How to Make Arsik: A Delicious and Savory Batak Cuisine
How to Make Arsik: A Delicious and Savory Batak Cuisine
Blog Article
What is Arsik?
Arsik is a Batak cuisine that is famous for its spicy, sour, and savory taste. This dish usually uses carp as its main ingredient, although some variations use other fish such as tilapia or nila fish. Arsik is served with a rich spice mix, consisting of turmeric, ginger, and bay leaves, giving it a distinctive aroma and delicious taste.
Arsik is often the main dish at traditional events or celebrations in the Batak community. The rich taste and strong spices make arsik a menu that is not only delicious, but also rich in cultural value.
Here is a recipe and how to make arsik that you can try at home.
Ingredients Needed to Make Arsik
Fresh carp – 1, clean and cut into several pieces
Bay leaves – 3 pieces
Turmeric leaves – 2 pieces, torn
Lemongrass – 1 stalk, bruised
Galangal – 2 cm, bruised
Turmeric – 2 cm, finely grated
Ginger – 2 cm, bruised
Shallots – 5 pieces, thinly sliced
Garlic – 3 cloves, thinly sliced
Large red chilies – 3 pieces, diagonally sliced
Birch chilies – 5 pieces (adjust to taste)
Tomato – 1 piece, cut into pieces
Tamarind – 1 tablespoon, dissolve in enough water
Salt – to taste
Sugar – to taste
Water – 500 ml (or to taste)
Steps to Make Arsik
Prepare the Carp
Clean the carp carefully, remove the scales, gills, and stomach contents. Wash the fish and cut it into several pieces according to taste. After that, coat the fish with a little salt and let it sit for a few minutes so that the spices can be absorbed.
Prepare the Fine Spices
Purify the turmeric, ginger, and garlic using a mortar or blender. You can add a little water to make the grinding process easier. These spices will be the base of the arsik sauce.
Saute the Spices
Heat a little oil in a frying pan. Saute the fine spices (turmeric, ginger, garlic) together with sliced shallots, lemongrass, bay leaves, and turmeric leaves. Saute all these ingredients until fragrant and the spices are evenly mixed.
Add the Chilies and Tomatoes Slot Raffi Ahmad
Once the spices smell fragrant, add the sliced red chilies, cayenne pepper, and chopped tomatoes. Saute again until the chilies begin to wilt and the tomatoes are slightly crushed.
Add Water and Tamarind
Once all the spices are cooked and fragrant, pour in enough water to make the arsik sauce. Add the tamarind solution, salt, and enough granulated sugar. Stir well and let the sauce boil.
Add the Carp
After the broth boils, add the seasoned carp pieces into the pan. Make sure the fish is submerged in the broth. Cook over low heat so that the fish does not fall apart. Let the carp soak in the spices for 20-30 minutes. You can cover the pan so that the flavor of the spices can penetrate the fish better.
Check the Taste
Taste the arsik broth and adjust the salty, sweet, or sour taste to taste. If it is not sour enough, you can add a little tamarind water. If it is too spicy, add a little granulated sugar.
Serve
After the fish is cooked and the broth has been absorbed, remove the arsik from the pan and serve hot. Arsik is delicious enjoyed with warm white rice.
Tips for Serving Arsik
Use fresh fish to get a more delicious taste.
Adjust the level of spiciness with the amount of chili used. If you don't like spicy food too much, you can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper.
Don't cook the fish for too long so that it doesn't fall apart. Just cook until the fish is perfectly cooked and the spices have been absorbed.
Benefits of Arsik
Arsik is not only delicious, but also rich in benefits. The spices used in arsik such as turmeric, ginger, and galangal contain many health benefits, including:
Turmeric can help reduce inflammation and improve the digestive system.
Ginger functions as an anti-inflammatory and can increase endurance.
Tamarind helps in the body's detoxification process.
Conclusion
Arsik is a typical Batak dish that is not only delicious, but also full of spices that are rich in benefits. The easy process of making it and the appetizing taste make arsik the right choice for a special family dish or certain events. By following the steps above, you can try making arsik at home and enjoy the authentic traditional Batak taste. Good luck!