Serving the Guest: A Sufi Cookbook
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is better than one who can fly in the air
or spread his prayer rug on the surface of water.
A blade of grass can also float on water,
and a fly can also fly in the air.
Indonesian Fish Stew with Fern Tops or Kale
Salt
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 lbs. fiddlehead fern tops or curly kale (if kale, tear in large pieces)
10 macadamia or kemiri nuts
2 tbsp. minced garlic
2 cups sliced onions
2 tsp. chili flakes or chili paste
1 tbsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. turmeric
5 cups coconut milk
2 tbsp. tamarind paste, in ½ cup water
2 bay leaves
½ cup mint, finely chopped
Lightly salt the fish. Oil a large pot, and put in a layer of fish. Add a layer of fern tops or kale, another layer of fish, and another layer of greens. In a blender or food processor, grind the nuts, garlic, onion, chili, ginger and turmeric, into a thick paste. Add coconut milk and tamarind water, blend well, then pour the mixture evenly over the fish and greens. Put the bay leaves in at the sides of the pot, and sprinkle over with chopped mint. Turn the heat to low and gently bring the stew to a simmer. Cover the pot and simmer for about an hour, until the fish is well cooked and flavored, but still firm. Serve hot or warm.
from Serving the Guest: A Sufi Cookbook
Copyright © 1999, 2000 by Kathleen Seidel
Sources of previously published material by other authors used by permission, and print sources for images, may be found at http://www.superluminal.com/cookbook.