Avocado Pesto

  • Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Vegan
  • About
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Socials

Home » Grilled Fish Skewers -Balinese {GF, DF}

Grilled Fish Skewers -Balinese {GF, DF}

Last Updated on April 9, 2019 By Vicky 15 Comments

Print Recipe Jump to Recipe
grilled fish skewers pin

Grilled fish skewers are a traditional Balinese recipe made with tuna mashed with spices and  Balinese paste, then formed into patties and grilled. The perfect summer recipe that is packed full of flavor. Grilled fish skewers Grilled fish skewers make for the perfect summer time recipe. I made these grilled fish skewers for the first time at a cooking class in Ubud, Indonesia.

I love love love taking cooking classes when I travel and always seek out a cooking class or two. I mean in Thailand alone I took close to 10 cooking classes (which is where I learned my all time favorite Massaman curry recipe).

So when I got to Indonesia and tried the delicious cuisine for the first time I knew I would be signing up for a cooking class. Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands and the cuisines differs significantly on each one. When we first landed in Jakarta on the island of Java and made our way to Yogyakarta the cuisine was completely different from the Balinese dishes we tried on the island of Bali.

Surprisingly for me I have never seen an Indonesian restaurant in the US nor had I ever even tried Indonesian cuisine before our trip.

This is seriously unfortunate because Indonesian cuisine and food is so rich, fragrant and flavorful – it almost reminds me of Thai food in it’s use of similar Asian style ingredients and pastes used to flavor dishes.

In my cooking class the first thing that we made was the basa gede, also known as the basic sauce which is a combination of

  • red hot chili peppers
  • singaler
  • aromatic ginger
  • turmeric
  • normal ginger
  • galangal
  • shallot
  • garlic
  • kendle nut
  • coriander seeds
  • white pepper
  • black pepper
  • lemongrass

I am sure you can imagine that this basic sauce has nothing basic about it and is actually a flavor explosion in your mouth! The way to make this paste which is then added for the grilled fish skewers is to mash everything together, mortar and pestle style, except here the mortar is more in the shape of a flattened plate, rather than the more common form. For simplicity, and the fact that certain ingredients are hard to find abroad this paste can be made with red hot chili peppers, ginger, turmeric, galangal, shallot, garlic, macadamia nut, coriander seeds, white pepper, black pepper and lemongrass. All of those ingredients should be easier to find, especially if you have access to an Asian super market for the galangal.

spices used for the Balinese spice paste

Once we had the basic sauce paste ready we were going to use two other key ingredients – fresh cubed tuna fish and grated coconut.

balinese spice paste, shredded coconut, and chopped tuna

These ingredients are then mashed in a large mortar and pestle with the addition of fried shallots, minced celery, salt, palm sugar and fried garlic.

Grilled fish skewers ready to be pounded in the mortar

Once those are formed into a ground fish mix, the grilled fish skewers are ready to be formed. As the cooking instructor explained the fish is better when pounded in a mortar and pestle so that the fibers stay intact and the fish stays together better on the skewers. You can imitate this same “mashing” with a food processor but the blades there can destroy the fibers, so if you have a mortar and pestle, and a bit of patience I highly recommend avoiding the food processor short cut!

Grilled fish skewers being cooked on the grill

Once we formed the grilled fish skewers but grabbing small handfuls of the mix and forming around a bamboo wooden stick the fish was ready to be grilled.

Grilled fish skewers ready to eat

And then we got to enjoy these super fragrant tuna based grilled fish skewers with a peanut based sauce. This dish was absolutely delicious and that “basic sauce” when mashed in with the tuna and grated coconut really takes these grilled fish skewers to the next level.

These grilled fish skewers are a classic Balinese recipe which I hope you will attempt to recreate in your own kitchen. Even if you have to take the short cut using the food processor to grind the fish, and even if you’re missing some of the ingredients for the Balinese paste I still highly recommend you give this recipe a go.

Surprise your Memorial Day weekend guests with this different Indonesian themed grilled fish recipe.

If you’re looking for other grilled recipe ideas be sure to check out my grilled chicken thighs and my grilled swordfish kabobs.

5 from 1 vote
Grilled fish skewers are a traditional Balinese recipe made with tuna mashed with spices and Balinese paste, then formed into patties and grilled. The perfect summer recipe that is packed full of flavor.
Print
Grilled Fish Skewers -Balinese {GF, DF}
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Grilled fish skewers are a traditional Balinese recipe made with tuna mashed with spices and Balinese paste, then formed into patties and grilled. The perfect summer recipe that is packed full of flavor.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Indonesian
Servings: 4
Calories: 578 kcal
Author: Vicky Berman
Ingredients
For the Basa Gede - Balinese Basic Sauce:
  • 2 small red chili peppers seeds removed, chopped
  • 3 inch piece ginger chopped
  • 3 inch piece fresh turmeric chopped
  • 1 inch piece galangal chopped
  • 5 small shallots chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 4 macadamia nuts chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 stalk lemongrass chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
for the grilled fish skewers:
  • 2 pounds tuna chopped
  • 5 tablespoons Balinese basic sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fried shallots optional
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped celery
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup grated shredded coconut unsweetened
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 5 teaspoons fried garlic optional
  • bamboo wooden skewers or metal skewers
Instructions
  1. To make the Balinese basic sauce combine all ingredients except the bay leaf in a food processor and blend, or use a classic mortar and pestle and pound until a smooth paste forms.
  2. In a pan cook the Balinese basic sauce for a few minutes with the bay leaf, adding in a few tablespoons of water or vegetable stock. Remove the bay leaf.
  3. To make the grilled fish skewers in a food processor or mortar and pestle combine the fish with 5 tablespoons of the Balinese basic sauce, fried shallots (optional, can be omitted), celery, salt, shredded coconut, brown sugar and fried garlic (optional, can be omitted). Process or pound until a almost smooth ground fish paste forms.
  4. Adding a bit of water to your hands first, grab small balls of the ground fish paste and form into longer oval shaped forms molding it around the wooden or metallic skewers.
  5. Grilled for a few minutes on each side until cooked through.
Nutrition Facts
Grilled Fish Skewers -Balinese {GF, DF}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 578 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 40mg13%
Sodium 1542mg67%
Potassium 671mg19%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 68g136%
Vitamin A 205IU4%
Vitamin C 7.1mg9%
Calcium 52mg5%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe adapted from the Canting Bali Cooking Class

After Post

Get Healthy Recipes Sent To Your Inbox

authorbio

How would you like to have a meal plan sent to you every Sunday to help you plan out the week and stay healthy?

And add me on social media!

« Chinese Shredded Chicken Recipe {GF, DF}
Avocado Chickpea Salad with Vegan Pesto {Gluten-Free, Vegan} »

Comments

  1. Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says

    May 20, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    All the flavors here! I love all the different flavors in Asian cooking. It can be overwhelming when you look at ingredient lists, but once you have them all, magic happens!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      June 3, 2017 at 8:30 am

      Yes, exactly – the ingredient list can be overwhelming but you just need to stock up once and then a whole world of Asian cooking opens up!

      Reply
  2. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    May 20, 2017 at 3:23 pm

    I want to make this NOW! Those flavors sound absolutely divine– like a slap in the face with the best tastes on earth! Now I have to visit Indonesia! Bucket List!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      June 3, 2017 at 8:30 am

      Thanks! You need to make these NOW : )

      Reply
  3. Jill says

    May 20, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    These look and sound so delicious. Amazing flavors!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      June 3, 2017 at 8:34 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Jenn says

    May 20, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    This sounds so flavorful. I love that you take cooking classes when you travel. What a fabulous idea!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      June 3, 2017 at 8:34 am

      Yes cooking classes are the best! I LOVE them!

      Reply
  5. Nicole says

    May 20, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    A fabulous cuisine; in London there are many Indonesian restaurants, and we love the fragrant ingredients used. Makes me want to visit the country. Your fish skewers look very tasty indeed.

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      June 3, 2017 at 8:37 am

      Thanks! That’s great there are Indonesian restaurants in London, there don’t seem to be any in Boston or in the US!

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth @ Bowl of Delicious says

    May 23, 2017 at 11:21 am

    What a cool way to eat tuna! The flavors in this look phenomenal. And is it just me, or is food eaten on a stick so much better than food not eaten on a stick? I can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      June 3, 2017 at 8:38 am

      Thanks! Yes food on a stick instantly becomes more interesting and exciting!

      Reply
  7. Amy says

    March 25, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious!

    Reply
  8. simmah says

    August 14, 2020 at 2:23 pm

    i think we went to the same class! great food

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      August 27, 2020 at 3:24 pm

      Haha guess so!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Featured and Popular

Quick Mexican Tuna Salad & Avocado Bowl Recipe {GF, DF}

Thai Veggie Quinoa Bowls {Gluten-Free, Vegan}

Raw Vegan Collard Wraps Recipe

Hi, I’m Vicky!

VICKY

About Avocado Pesto

I love to create unique, healthy recipes for people who want to maintain a variety of diets, like Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, etc. Read more about how I can help you plan your meals!

Check out these other delicious recipes from my blog!

Chilean sea bass FG_
Chickpea Flatbread
roasted potato wedges
Avocado Chickpea Salad with vegan pesto makes for the perfect lunch recipe that is ready in minutes. Super simple 5 ingredient recipe packed full of flavor and protein. Lunch or grill day appetizers don't get easier than this!
Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Garlic - Gluten Free and Vegan
This Caribbean Fish Curry recipe is a one pot meal ready in 30 minutes that is a creamy blend of coconut milk, tomatoes, curry spices and tender red snapper. Both Gluten Free and Dairy Free.
Vegan Quinoa Power Bowls with Roasted Veggies and Avocado Sauce Gluten-Free
Vegan-Creamy-Pumpkin-Pasta-with-Sage-Recipe
Quinoa Black Bean Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad Recipe
Tofu burger recipe made with sweet potatoes is the perfect healthy summer vegan lunch. Soft, and tender on the inside while lightly crispy on the outside, and full of flavor. Gluten-Free too. |avocadopesto.com
Lemon Rice makes for the perfect healthy side dish. With a flair of Indian flavors this lemon rice is made with turmeric, ginger, chili, lemon and Indian spices. Gluten Free and Vegan | avocadopesto.com
Baked pork chops make for the easiest 4 ingredient dinner ever. A classic family recipe passed down from my grandmother and the only way I ever make pork chops. Gluten Free too. You only need pork chops, onions, mayo and sharp cheddar (regular or vegan, for a dairy free recipe).
  • Dairy Free
    • Dairy Free Breakfast
    • Dairy Free Lunch
    • Dairy Free Dinner
    • Dairy Free Dessert
  • Gluten Free
    • Gluten Free Breakfast
    • Gluten Free Lunch
    • Gluten Free Dinner
    • Gluten Free Dessert
  • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Search
  • Vegan
    • Vegan Breakfast
    • Vegan Lunch
    • Vegan Dinner
    • Vegan Dessert
  • Vegetarian
    • Vegetarian Breakfast
    • Vegetarian Lunch
    • Vegetarian Dinner
    • Vegetarian Dessert
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Work With Me
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • 30 mins or less

Copyright © 2023

241 shares
  • 34