Sweet and Sour Tilapia (Nila Asam Manis)
This vibrant and flavorful Sweet and Sour Tilapia (Nila Asam Manis) recipe brings together tender fish fillets with a delightful mix of fresh vegetables and a tangy, slightly sweet sauce. Perfect for a quick dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tilapia fillet, cut into cubes | 1/2 fish |
| Garlic cloves, crushed | 5 cloves |
| Carrot, sliced into long strips | 1 medium carrot |
| Cucumber, seeds removed and sliced | 1 cucumber |
| Onion, sliced into long strips | 1/4 onion |
| Red curly chili, sliced diagonally | 2 red chilies |
| Green onion, sliced diagonally | 1 stalk |
| Tomato ketchup (Belibis brand or similar) | 4 tbsp |
| Salt, to taste | As needed |
| Sugar, to taste | As needed |
| Optional: Flavor enhancer (seasoning) | To taste |
| Margarine, for sautéing | 1 tbsp |
| Cooking oil, for frying | As needed |
| All-purpose crispy batter flour (Kobe or similar) | Enough to coat fish |
| Water, for sauce | 200 ml (or as needed) |
Instructions
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Clean the tilapia fillet and cut it into cubes according to your preference. Rinse with lemon or lime juice and season with a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes to marinate. |
| 2 | Coat the marinated tilapia cubes with all-purpose crispy batter flour and fry them in hot oil until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside. |
| 3 | In a pan, melt margarine and sauté the crushed garlic until fragrant. Add the sliced onions, red chilies, carrots, and cucumber, sautéing briefly. |
| 4 | Stir in the tomato ketchup, then add water to form a sauce. Season the sauce with salt, sugar, and optional flavor enhancer to taste. Stir well and bring to a boil. |
| 5 | Once the sauce is bubbling, turn off the heat and stir in the sliced green onions. |
| 6 | Serve the crispy fish on a plate, pouring the sweet and sour sauce over the top, or serve the sauce separately. No additional lemon, lime, or vinegar is necessary as the ketchup provides enough acidity. |
| 7 | Optional: For extra color and flavor, you can add diced bell peppers, tomatoes, or pineapple to the sauce. |
Enjoy your Sweet and Sour Tilapia served with steamed rice or as a standalone dish for a light, flavorful meal!
This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, with the fresh vegetables adding crunch and color to the dish. The use of crispy battered tilapia provides a delightful texture contrast to the savory sauce. Whether you choose to serve it with rice or enjoy it as a standalone dish, this Sweet and Sour Tilapia is sure to impress!
