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Deep-Fried Ikan Bilis
I never thought there will come a day where I deep fried my own anchovies … the grease (versus the glitz) but it’s well worth the work to me. Ikan bilis (dried anchovies) are little salt-water fish that is versatile in cooking. In Singapore, the ones we bought from grocery stores and supermarkets are dried, preserved in salt and then deep fried at home. You commonly see it served with Nasi Lemak. There are just so many ways you can use it – stir fry with sambal to make a snack, add to soups for that extra oomph & flavour, stir fry with vegetables (like this), or just toss in your salads for the crunchy and savoury taste.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ikan bilis
- vegetable oil for deep frying
- 5 garlic cloves, peeledDirections
1. Wash the ikan bilis until the water is clean, drain water and pat or air dry.
2. Heat vegetable oil in wok together with some garlic cloves and deep fry the ikan bilis in medium high heat (about 180C) for about 5 minutes, or until they turn crispy & brown.
3. Drain the ikan bilis on kitchen paper towerls or tempura paper to blot away the excess oil. Store in an airtight container in a non-humid place (like the fridge).
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
You even make your own ikan bilis *salute*
Can’t think of where else to use fried ikan bilies except in nasi lemak. Come to think of it, I think can sprinkle over pan mian. My memory of fried ikan bilis is with sugar and peanuts.
Wow, your own anchovies! It sounds really good :P
Yes, thank you, I instaled plug in for emoticons.. . now I’m in a process of drawing my own ones to replace default images :lol:
I had to fry my own ikan bilis when I moved to UK :) It’s messy but soooo satisfying to have a jar in the fridge, heh. The husband loves snacking on them :p (tsk, tsk)
My memory is the same as tigerfish, with peanuts and sugar. It’s so addictive!
Eager to know the secret ingredient. :o
I have never had deep fried anchovies but they sound really good!
I’m guessing nasi lemak too. Unless you’re serving them as a sidedish with Korean barbecue, which is the other way I know of eating fried anchovies. I can’t believe you made your own! All that oily splatter! But they look wonderful.
Thanks for the submission!
They are not easy to make I must say…I mean to be perfect!
I love to snack on ikan bilis too but I use those without the head cos my doctor said the head is high on cholesterol :o
Sometimes, dry-fry them and pounded into powder for my kids to add into their porridge. Yummy.
Great photos as usual!
When I first was served these in a Korean restaurant, I thought they were paper clips.
Nicely done, Wiffy. Great photos!
Hi Wiffy,
Just a short note to let you know that you have been nominated to IFP (Inspiring Food Photography poll) that takes place on my blog during the whole June.
http://www.coffeeandvanilla.com/?p=2344
Have a nice day, Margot
tigerfish:: Woah, almost forgotten about fried ikan bilis with sugar and peanuts, really brings back memories.
Nilmandra:: I love snacking on them too. Which I suppose is super unhealthy because they are so salty, hiak hiak.
didally, kevin, RM:: Thanks!
WC:: Thanks for hosting WHB. Can’t wait to see the roundup ;)
WokkingMum: Oh the head is high on cholesterol? Thanks for letting me know! I will go chinatown get the headless type which are also less salty, the ones I got this time round is pretty low grade and overly salty.
Susan:: paper clips? Hehe that’s a cute thought. Thank you girl :-)
margot:: Thank you sooo much for your nomination! Wow you are drawing your own emoticons? Are u a graphic designer? I look forward to seeing the new smilies on your site ^^
hehe. I didn’t catch it when I was compiling the list either. But wait, you fried the anchovies. Your oil is a plant derivative so it still counts. :)
ha ha ha wc, thanks for your words,& ah … I like the way you think, heh… :up: :wink:
Try microwaving them instead for a healthier version ;-)
http://blessedhomemaker.blogspot.com/2009/05/crispy-anchovies-microwave.html
Hi, do you have any idea where can i buy nice & crisy Fried Ikan Bilis? I always had not enough when i am having my Ban Mien.
Hi Hakone, you mean those already deep fried? I think wee brother otah sells deep fried ikan bilis. I’ve seen some popular ban mien stalls selling a container of their fried ikan bilis but off hand, I can’t remember which stalls.