Tongkol

After reading one of my favourite magazine Flavours, i decided to search the local market for ikan tongkol, a type of tuna found in Malaysian seawaters.  Selling at RM6++ per kilo, this fish cost RM2++.  Wow, that's a cheap tuna ...

I am a fish lover.  I remembered during my childhood days, mom would steam fish for the cat and yours truly will pick on the meat leaving just bones and wee-tiny-what's left of it for the cat.  Surprisingly, the cat did not starve to death.  I told myself I had to marry either a fisherman or a seafood restaurant owner - I can lay my hands on all the seafood to my heart's content.  Well, neither came along my path.  

The ikan tongkol meat was pretty red with scarce bones making filleting a simple task.  Nowadays, I prefer to fillet and save the bones for making stock.  I baked the fish with wine and thyme but I do think it would do nicer in a spicy sauce.  Can't wait to get this fish again to cook my otak otak ....