Whole30 Pepes Tongkol (Indonesian Spiced Tuna Steamed in Banana Leaves)

Embark on a culinary journey with Whole30 Pepes Tongkol, a fragrant Indonesian dish that brings bold flavors and aromatic spices to your table. This Whole30-compliant recipe features tender tuna fillets marinated in a vibrant blend of shallots, garlic, red chilies, lemongrass, turmeric, and candlenuts. Gently wrapped in softened banana leaves with kaffir lime, bay, and basil leaves, the fish is steamed to perfection, infusing it with earthy, citrusy notes. Ideal for healthy eaters, this dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo-friendly, making it as nutritious as it is delicious. Serve this wholesome and exotic meal with a squeeze of fresh lime for a bright, zesty finish that will transport your taste buds straight to Indonesia.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams fresh tuna fillet
• 4 large pieces banana leaves
• 6 whole shallots
• 4 whole garlic cloves
• 3 whole red chilies
• 2 stalks lemongrass stalk
• 1 inch piece turmeric root
• 3 whole candlenuts
• 4 leaves kaffir lime leaves
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 whole lime
• 20 grams basil leaves

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the tuna fillet under cold water, pat dry with paper towels, and cut into 4 equal pieces. Set aside.

Step 2

In a blender or food processor, combine shallots, garlic, red chilies, lemongrass (using only the white parts), turmeric, and candlenuts. Blend until you achieve a smooth paste.

Step 3

Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.

Step 4

In a large bowl, combine the cooked spice paste with salt, ground black pepper, and juice of half a lime. Mix well.

Step 5

Add the tuna pieces to the bowl, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated with the spice mixture. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.

Step 6

Prepare the banana leaves by slicing them into 20cm x 20cm squares. Pass them over an open flame briefly to soften them for wrapping.

Step 7

Place a piece of marinated tuna in the center of a banana leaf square. Top with a kaffir lime leaf, a bay leaf, and fresh basil leaves.

Step 8

Fold the banana leaf over the tuna, securing the ends with toothpicks or kitchen twine to form a neat parcel.

Step 9

Repeat the process for all tuna pieces.

Step 10

In a steamer set over boiling water, steam the wrapped tuna parcels for 20-25 minutes until the tuna is cooked through and the aroma is unmistakably enticing.

Step 11

Remove from the steamer and let cool slightly before unwrapping.

Step 12

Serve hot with a wedge of lime on the side for an extra citrusy kick.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1386.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1348.7

Total Fat 46.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 250mg	0%
Sodium 2646.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 16.6g
Protein 156.3g	0%

Vitamin D 1000IU	0%
Calcium 332.8mg	0%
Iron 24.1mg	0%
Potassium 3017.6mg	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: 30.0%

Protein: 45.2%

Carbs: 24.8%