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Ikan Bilis Stock
Making ikan bilis (anchovies) stock is fast and easy. Unlike making chicken or vegetable stock, you just have to simmer it for about 10-15 minutes; prolonged simmering is unnecessary and may result in a bitter taste.
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A container of ikan bilis stock is handy to keep in the fridge for making porridge, as soup bases for dishes (such as spinach in superior stock) or noodles soup (such as mee suah soup and fish ball noodle soup).
The choice of ikan bilis is important. If you go to an Asian dried foods stall, you can ask the assistant which variety is the most ideal for stock making. I personally used the “Pangkor” variety which is good for soups. Wheras I use degutted ikan bilis for making ikan bilis powder, I use whole ikan bilis (head and tail in tact) for extra flavour in the soup stock.
STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOS
Rinse the ikan bilis (anchovies) in a few changes of water. This will reduce the excess saltiness. Ikan bilis come in vary degrees of saltiness depending on the type you buy and as a general guide, I recommend rinsing them in two changes of water; but if your ikan bilis is the extra-salty variety, you may need another 1-2 rinses. At the same time, do not over-rinse the ikan bilis or the stock will taste bland.
In a pot, bring water to boil. Add washed ikan bilis, red dates and ginger to the pot. Simmer for 10 – 15 minutes. Do not simmer for too long or the broth may become bitter.
Using a slotted ladle, remove ikan bilis, red dates and ginger. Strain the broth through a sieve. When the broth has cooled, transfer to a storing container.
You know, on my Lunar Birthday every year, without fail, I get 2 red hard boiled eggs and a bowl of Mee Suah soup with minced pork balls around it. And the soup base is always anchovy base stock. I don’t know how my grandma makes it but they’re always the best. The addition of ginger and red dates sounds interesting and sounds like it would be a nice touch.
I can imagine a bowl of longevity noodles is really delicious with the anchovies soup stock. and very traditional too with the red hard boiled eggs :-)
I never made ikan bilis stock. Does it have a very strong fishy smells? I usually fried the ikan bilis and eat it with sambal terasi hehehe … :)
I don’t find it fishy hehe. Oh I love deep fried ikan bilis with sambal :up:
The quality of the anchovies matters, right? Your anchovies look much better than the stuff I can get here. I will try this tho’. Love anchovy flavours!
really? maybe because it’s an Asian ingredient, so it’s easier to get good ones in Asian countries. Hope you like the recipe :)
wow I have never heard of this but I love anchovies so it must be just so yummy!! what great anchovies..I will try soon
sweetlife
As you said, the quality of anchovies vary so I use them less frequent, but good ones are lovely for making broth. Any chance to find dried silver fishes in Singapore? They are abundant here in H.K. Although less intense in flavors, the dried silver fishes are less fishy. Sometimes, I simply add a handful of dried shrimps with the fishes, of which the soup is nice to me.
Yes there are dried silver fish (both white and brown types) in Singapore! can find in the supermarkets or Chinese medical halls. I have not tried them in broths before though (usually deep fry them in a shallow layer of oil and used as condiments). I shall try your idea next time, thanks for sharing =)
wow, i’ve never heard of this before! very interesting method of making stock. my parents actually eat those anchovies for dinner!
I love eating them too (especially deep fried in my nasi lemak), but it’s a different species of anchovies. They are delicious!
Degutted and deboned anchovies can be found at dry grocery store. I usually buy from bencoolen street “Si Ma Lu” or wet market.
Thanks juhuacha!! grateful for your tip. Actually I wonder what degutted and deboned really meant, and I wonder how to convey it to the auntie/uncle. I will check out the market :)
So this is the secret recipe for those amazing broths and soups and sauces!!!! Oh man I remember our eating escapade in Singapore and all those culinary fireworks were exploding in my mouth! :)
I love anchovies! I bet a little bit of this stock would give my pastas and soups great flavor. And this is so easy!
It’s a great idea to add this to pasta. adds a fushion and very savoury twist!
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