Tilapia in Tamarind Sauce

This simple tilapia dish stands out from the ordinary because of the subtle tartness of the tamarind and the heat of the pepper.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 184 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• salt to taste
• ¼ cup hot water
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 pound tilapia fillets
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or to taste
• 1 (1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon tamarind paste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Rinse tilapia fillets and dry with paper towels. Dissolve tamarind paste in hot water in a bowl; stir ginger, garlic, salt, black pepper, coriander, turmeric, and cumin into tamarind mixture to make a paste. Rub paste over fish and let stand 15 minutes to absorb flavors (or longer in refrigerator if desired).

Step 2

Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook fish with tamarind paste in the hot oil until the flesh is opaque and flaky, about 4 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the second side. Drizzle with lemon juice.