Indonesian fish recipes
Crispy Sweet and Sour Tilapia with Fresh Veggies
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!
