Title: Spicy Black Pepper Snapper
Ingredients:
- 2 kg snapper fillets (or your preferred fish)
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 20-25 bird’s eye chilies (or to taste) + additional hot chilies (if desired)
- Ginger (to taste)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons black pepper
- 50 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 tomato
- 4-5 tablespoons spicy/tomato sauce (to taste)
- Galangal (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon MSG (optional, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup water
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions:
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Prepare the Fish: Clean the snapper and separate the fillets from the bones.
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Coat and Fry the Fish: Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge the fish fillets in the flour, ensuring an even coat. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the coated fish fillets until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat the process with the remaining fish.
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Prepare the Spice Paste: In a blender, combine the bird’s eye chilies, black pepper, and ginger. Blend until smooth.
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Slice and Chop Vegetables: Finely chop the onion and garlic. Dice the tomato. Smash the galangal to release its flavor.
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Cook the Aromatics: In a pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant.
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Add the Spice Paste: Add the blended spice paste to the pan, along with the smashed galangal, bay leaves, spicy/tomato sauce, and diced tomato. Stir well and cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes break down.
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Season the Sauce: Pour in the water and mix thoroughly. Season with salt, MSG (if using), and sugar. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
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Combine Fish and Sauce: Gently add the fried fish fillets to the sauce. Stir to coat the fish with the sauce, and let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
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Garnish and Serve: Transfer the fish to a serving dish, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and serve hot.
This recipe for Spicy Black Pepper Snapper offers a delightful blend of heat and flavor, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of spice in their meals. Enjoy the crispy, flavorful fish paired with a rich, spicy sauce!
