Name: My Ex-Wife’s Catfish in Bird’s Eye Chilli Gravy (Ikan Sembilang Lemak Cili Api Jandaku)
Cuisine: Malaysian
Ingredients: Turmeric 2-cm (1-in) knob, peeled; Bird’s eye chillies (cili padi) 30, seeded; Coconut milk 500 ml (16 fl oz / 2 cups), extracted from ½ grated coconuts 500 ml (16 fl oz / 2 cups) water, and then squeezed again for 750 ml (24 fl oz / 3 cups) second-squeeze coconut milk using 750 ml (24 fl oz / 3 cups) water; Salt to taste; Limes 3, juice extracted + more to taste; Catfish 1, about 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz), cut into 8 pieces, cleaned and barbecued over glowing charcoal

Preparation info

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

The Best of Chef Wan Volume 1

By Chef Wan

Published 2018

About

My ex-wife makes the best catfish in bird’s eye chilli gravy that I have ever tasted. Over the years I have not been able to acquire her skills, despite my vast culinary knowledge. Although people who come from Negeri Sembilan swear that their recipe is the best, my ex-wife says that she is from Malacca and her recipe is better! So test it out. This dish must be cooked in a belanga (clay pot).