Ikan sardin (sardines sautéed in sambal)

Instructions

1. Gut and scale the sardines, then rinse them quickly and drain.
2. Roughly blend the onions, chillies, garlic and dried shrimp to make a sambal.
3. Heat the oil in a wide pan and fry the sambal over medium heat for 5 minutes until it smells fragrant.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, the tamarind paste dissolved in a little water, the sugar and the salt.
5. Gently place the sardines in the sauce and let it simmer over low heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Check the cooking: the flesh should come away easily and the sauce should be well reduced.