It’s great to know that Tilapia is the original ingredient for Filipino sweet and sour Escabeche. Adding a little twist to the traditional recipe like Millie did, by adding a small amount of chili sauce in the mix, is a great way to enhance the flavor profile of the dish.
Spicy Sweet & Sour Tilapia, or Spicy Escabecheng Tilapia, sounds like a delicious and flavorful recipe that would be enjoyed by many. The sweet and tangy taste, combined with a hint of spiciness from the chili sauce, creates a perfect balance of flavors.
Tilapia is a versatile and affordable fish that can be cooked in many ways, and this recipe is a great example of how it can be used to create a delicious and healthy meal. It’s great to see how Filipino cuisine can be adapted and modified to suit different tastes and preferences.
Ingredients: 3-4 servings
2 large whole Tilapia(bone-in)
2 large carrots, julienned
1 large green bell pepper, julienned
1 medium sliced tomato
1 small(8 oz.) can tomato sauce
3 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 small slice minced ginger
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1/2 tsp cornstarch
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 medium sliced onions
1 tbsp. white sugar
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/4 tsp chili sauce
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup water
Cooking Procedure:
- Wear gloves to wash 2 whole Tilapias. Scrape the skin with a knife to remove the scales. Carefully slit their belly and remove inner parts, but leave their heads and bones. Chop their fins, then rinse and dry the Tilapias.
- Rub each Tilapia with salt and pepper, in and out. Heat up oil over medium to high. Carefully place each Tilapia on the heated oil and fry till they’re golden brown. Set aside.
- Create a marinade by combining cornstarch, vinegar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, a pinch of salt and sugar on 1/2 a cup of water, then set aside.
- On a skillet, sauté garlic, onions and tomatoes onto cooking oil, bring back fried Tilapia, add ginger and carrots next.
- Pour a can of tomato sauce, add salt and pepper, then stir to combine ingredients. Apply the marinade and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the bell peppers and chili sauce. Leave it to simmer for another 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle more salt and pepper if desired. Continue to simmer on a slow heat until carrots are done.
- Transfer Tilapia Escabeche on a shallow serving plate, pour some sauce on the fish and garnish the top with the rest of the cooked ingredients(vegetables). Serve this delicious, Tilapia recipe hot, with steamed rice.
Tip: To add more flavor to the taste, add pineapple chunks to our Spicy Sweet & Sour Tilapia.
