Trim stems from dried chillies. Cut 2 cm long. Soak in warm water till soft, about 30 minutes. Squeeze dry. Discard water
15 g dried chillies
Roast belachan at 150°C or dry-fry over medium-low heat till dry and crumbly.
15 g belachan (fermented shrimp paste)
Wash, trim, peel and roughly chop shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass and red chillies as appropriate. Grind or pound with dried chillies and belachan till smooth.
150 g shallots, 75 g garlic, 15 g ginger, 40 g lemongrass, 50 g red chillies
Mash tamarind paste with 2 tbsp hot water. Drain and discard seeds and pulp.
20 g tamarind paste
Stir-fry sambal paste with corn oil over medium heat till fragrant and colour darkens, about 15 minutes. Add palm sugar. Stir-fry till dissolved. Add tamarind water and salt. Stir-fry till oil separates. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat. Leave till cool.
½ cup corn oil, 30 g palm sugar, ¼ tsp salt
You should have about 1 cup. Use about ½ cup for 400-500 g stingray. Remaining ½ cup may be stored for a few weeks refrigerated.
Preheat grill to 230°C (450°F). Line baking tray with aluminium foil. Lightly brush with vegetable oil.
Rinse stingray. Drain and dry with paper towels. Cut 2-3 slits along grain in thicker end.
1 piece stingray wing
Place stingray on baking tray, white side up. Season lightly with salt, including slits. Grill till 70-80% cooked, about 5 minutes depending on thickness of fish. Spread with sambal, thinly. Grill till top of stingray feels firm when pressed chopsticks, about 5 minutes.
1/3 tsp salt
Lift stingray from baking tray with a spatula. Place banana leaf in tray. Flip stingray onto banana leaf. Grill till 70-80% cooked, about 7 minutes depending on thickness. Spread with sambal, thickly. Grill till fully cooked and sambal is sizzling and slightly charred, 5 minutes or so.
1 piece frozen banana leaf
Slide foil, leaf and fish onto serving plate. Pull foil from underneath banana leaf and discard.
Garnish and serve immediately.
calamansi limes, red onion, tomato or pineapple wedges, cucumber slices