Dairy-Free Pesmol Gourami

Delight in the bold, aromatic flavors of Dairy-Free Pesmol Gourami, a vibrant Indonesian-inspired dish that's completely free of dairy yet rich in taste and texture. This recipe features whole gourami fish marinated in lime juice, turmeric, and salt, then fried to golden perfection in fragrant coconut oil. The fish is bathed in a luscious sauce made from a blend of shallots, garlic, red chilies, ginger, and candlenuts, further enhanced by the layered aromas of kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, bay leaves, and tamarind. Its tangy, slightly spicy flavor profile is balanced with just a hint of sweetness, creating a harmony of tastes that pairs beautifully with steamed rice. Ready in under an hour, this authentic pesmol recipe is perfect for those seeking a dairy-free yet flavor-packed meal option.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 whole Gourami fish
• 1 Lime
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 4 tablespoons Coconut oil
• 5 cloves Shallots
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 4 Red chilies
• 1 inch Ginger
• 1 inch Galangal
• 3 Candlenuts
• 2 medium Tomatoes
• 3 Kaffir lime leaves
• 1 stalk Lemongrass
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon Tamarind paste
• 250 ml Water
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground white pepper

Directions

Step 1

Clean the gourami fish and make diagonal slits on both sides. Rub the fish with lime juice, salt, and turmeric powder. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.

Step 2

In a blender, add shallots, garlic, red chilies, ginger, galangal, and candlenuts. Blend into a smooth paste.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the marinated fish until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.

Step 4

In the same pan, add the remaining coconut oil. Sauté the spice paste until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Add the tomatoes, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass (bruised), and bay leaves. Cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 6

Add tamarind paste and water to the pan. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Step 7

Return the fried fish to the pan and spoon the sauce over the fish. Add sugar and ground white pepper. Let it cook for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the fish to absorb the flavors.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat and serve the pesmol gourami warm with steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1639.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1948.9

Total Fat 130.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2g
Cholesterol 285.6mg	0%
Sodium 2681.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 104.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.4g	0%
Total Sugars 44.3g
Protein 109.9g	0%

Vitamin D 952IU	0%
Calcium 494.4mg	0%
Iron 17.6mg	0%
Potassium 4651.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.9%

Protein: 21.6%

Carbs: 20.5%