Nila Lada Hitam: Spicy Black Pepper Fish Fillet

Ingredients

• 400 grams fresh nila (snakehead fish) fillet
• All-purpose flour (I used Hot n Spicy)
• 1/2 medium onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 large red chilies
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 4 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 200 ml water
• Chopped green onions (daun bawang)
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fish Fillets: Begin by thoroughly washing the fresh nila fillets. For a firmer texture, you can rinse them with hot water. Once cleaned, cut the fillets into pieces according to your preference. Coat each piece evenly with all-purpose flour to create a light batter.

2. Fry the Fillets: In a pan, heat the cooking oil over low heat. Gently place the coated fish fillets in the hot oil and fry them until they turn a beautiful golden-brown color, ensuring a crisp texture.

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3. Chop the Aromatics: While the fish is frying, slice the garlic, onion, green onions, and red chilies into thin strips to maximize their flavor release during cooking.

4. Sauté the Aromatics: In another pan, heat a little oil if needed, and add the sliced onions, garlic, and red chilies. Sauté these ingredients until they are fragrant and the onions become translucent.

5. Create the Sauce: Once the aromatics are ready, pour in the sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, ground black pepper, salt, sugar, and water. For an extra kick, feel free to add some white pepper. Stir the mixture well and bring it to a boil.

6. Combine and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add the fried fish fillets into the sauce, gently mixing to ensure each piece is coated with the delicious sauce. Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove from heat.

7. Garnish and Enjoy: Transfer your Nila Lada Hitam to a serving dish, garnish with chopped green onions, and serve hot. This flavorful dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice for a delightful meal.

Enjoy your Nila Lada Hitam, a perfect blend of spice and umami, guaranteed to impress your family and friends!