2017 is turning out to be one hell of a year.An emotional roller coaster this has been and if there is any recipe that would sum up my year on a plate has to be my sweet and sour tilapia.This is a recipe that I was supposed to have shared with you last week but things didn’t go as planned.You see,I had a pretty nasty injury during this year’s Dubai sevens that had my leg operated on,with my heavily casted foot,bed is that one place where I have been spending most of my time.long story short,I was taking tea in bed and my laptop while I wasn’t watching had a proper English breakfast.It took a deep sleep only to wake up a week later and am I thankful all my data is intact, a roller coaster I tell you.

Away from broken bones and laptops,today also happens to be my birthday and no better way to celebrate it with you than with this amazingly delicious sweet an sour tilapia recipe.Simple to prepare this is a welcome break from how you have been traditionally enjoying your fish.I went with tilapia however, any white fish in my opinion would work just fine.Snapper catfish etc,i find tilapia is readily available, less expensive and dosen’t have that fishy smell that honestly nobody likes.my sweet and sour tilapia uses ingredients that are readily available at home,and is easy to bring together.Its that type of meal that will be loved by all,throw this down for the kids and they will absolutely love you for it.This recipe is amazing paired with rice, noodles and absolutely fantastic with stir-fry veggies.Have you ever asked yourself why everyone enjoys Chinese,thai or Japanese cooking, it’s because of the balance and dynamism in flavour.Sweet,savory spicy and earthy notes all working together in harmony taking you to flavour heaven and back.Luckily this ain’t something that is hard to achieve as you shall come to figure out.My simple sweet and sour homemade sauce comprises of vinegar, brown sugar, lemon juice,[ketchup/barbecue sauce] and a little bit of chilli flakes for that kick thats  totally optional especially if preparing this for the kids.

I used my home made pineapple barbecue sauce in making my sweet and sour sauce and it was amazeballs delicious.If cornstarch is not available substitute with all purpose flour ,however extra crispness is achieved when using cornstarch.

PREP TIME:15 MIN

COOK GTIME:20 MIN

TOTAL TIME:35 MIN

 

INGREDIENTS

1. 500g tilapia fillet
2. cooking oil[for deep frying]
3. 1/2 cup cornstarch

marinade

1. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
2. 1 egg
3. 1 teaspoon cornstarch

sweet&sour sauce ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2. 3 tablespoons ketchup/barbecue sauce
3. 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
4. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5. 1/2 red onion
6. 1 tablespoon minced garlic
7. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
8. 1/4 cup water

 

Directions

• Cube your tilapia fillets into equal bite size pieces and marinate In the marinade ingredients for 15-30 minutes.
• As the fish is marinating mice your garlic and finely dice the onions.
• Toss your marinated tilapia cubes in cornstarch shaking off any excess flour from them.Deep fry the coated fish in hot oil in batches,do not overcrowd the pan as this will braise the fish and the result will be soggy heavy fish as opposed to crispy and light.Drain the cooked fish on paper towels.
• Over medium high heat in a pan heat up a tablespoon of cooking oil and cook your onion and garlic until fragrant.Add in all the sauce ingredients, bring to a quick boil boil then simmer until the sauce has thickened to a consistency of your liking.
• Add in your sweet and sour fish tossing to ensure all the pieces are evenly coated in the sauce.Plate with a side of choice and garnish with either green onions or some fresh coriander leaves.

Happy-birthday to me and I hope you enjoy this one from me to you.

Enjoy.