Chilly Fish

Well here I am with another lovely Indo-Chinese recipe – Chilly Fish. After Chilly Chicken and Chilly Prawns, it’s time for some fish. This is my version of Chilly Fish and it may be different from what you get at Chinese restaurants here in US.

I had some fresh Tilapia fillets and was tempted to try this recipe. Unlike Chilly Chicken and Chilly Prawns or Shrimps, I skipped the deep frying portion and instead shallow fried the fish (which was marinated with Soy Sauce and spices). The fried fish tasted so heavenly. It was hundred times yummier than the regular Fish Fry I make at home. Never knew that the addition of Soy Sauce could bring out such royal flavors. I had to savor 2 pieces of the fried fish before I could mix it with the spicy Chilly Gravy. If I hadn’t persuaded myself, I would have eaten the whole pound of fried fish with nothing left to make Chilly Fish. 🙂

Chilly Fish goes well with Fried Rice, Naan and Rotis. I made Chilly Fish with gravy so that we could have it with Rotis. We had this curry with Roti and it tasted excellent.You can also make it as a dry side dish.

Ingredients

1. Boneless and Skinless Fish (cut into curry sized pieces) – 1 lb
2. Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp
3. Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
4. Diced onions – 1 medium
5. Diced Bell Peppers (Capsicum) – 1 medium
6. Finely Chopped Spring Onions – 1 bunch (I skipped this)
7. Chopped Tomatoes – 1
8. Minced Ginger – 1 tbsp
9. Minced Garlic – 1 tbsp
10. Slit Green Chillies – 2
11. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp
12. Black pepper Powder – 1 tsp
13. Red Chilly Garlic Sauce – 1 tbsp
14. Soy Sauce – 1 tbsp
15. Tomato Ketchup – 2 tbsp
16. Water – 1 cup
17. Salt – to taste

For Marinade

1. Soy Sauce – 1 tbsp
2. Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp
3. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp
4. Black Pepper powder – 1 tsp
5. Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp
6. Salt – to taste

Preparation Method

1. Clean the fish thoroughly and soak it in water along with 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and 1 tbsp lemon juice for 5 minutes.
2. Wash and drain the pieces and marinate with the above ingredients. Refrigerate it for 15 -30 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan and shallow fry the marinated fish.
4. Drain onto paper towels.
5. Heat 2 tbsp oil in another pan, add onions and saute until translucent.
6. Add bell peppers, whites of spring onions and green chillies,  saute for a few minutes.
7. Add minced ginger and garlic and stir fry for a minute.
8. Add the diced tomatoes and allow it to cook for a few minutes until pulpy.
9. Reduce heat and add chilly powder and black pepper powder.
10. Add soy sauce, Chilly Garlic Sauce and ketchup. Mix everything nicely.
11. Pour 1 cup of water to the pan. Reduce water if you don’t want gravy. Add salt to taste. Allow it to come to a slow boil on medium heat.
12. Reduce heat and add the fried fish. Cook for another 5 minutes. Garnish with spring onions. Remove from stove top and keep covered.