Like many ladies in Nairobi, I always go to Kenyatta Market to have my hair braided. They are not only done cheaply there, but very fast too. I find it comical how the wasusi (salonists) almost come to blows when they spot someone with open hair walking their way. To avoid all that commotion, I have my msusi pick me from the stage when I arrive. Her name is Connie but I call her Aunty Connie. She is so nice and I always get braided in her stall. Some weeks back as we snaked our way through the open fruit market and through the car wash, the aroma of fried tilapia wafted our way. I asked her where I could get some and she promised to direct me after my braids were done. As I got my hair fixed, I thought about all the possible ways I could make my fish (that was before I fell asleep on the salon chair).
I remembered discovering peri peri is what our brothers and sisters down south refer to what we East Africans know as pilipili. It really is the same thing- bird’s eye chilli. Feeling inspired by my new discovery, I decided to make my fish spicy and saucy. I just have to warn you before trying my tilapia peri peri, there is a high possibility that you may develop serious addictions to tilapia cooked with this recipe. It is that good! Proceed.
COOK TIME: 35 MINUTES SERVES: 1
Ingredients:
1 small tilapia fish, fried
1 lemon, juice
1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest
2 birds eye chilli
1/2 a teaspoon of sage
1 teaspoon of black pepper seeds
4 tomatoes, grated
Coriander, finely chopped
Method
In a kinu (pestle and mortar), mince the garlic, the black pepper seeds,sage and the chillies. Set it aside.
In a sufuria heat up your onions and add the paste and cook this until it has softened.
Add the tomatoes and the lemon juice and let this simmer for about 3-5 minutes. Scoop out 3 table spoonfulls of the tomatoes and set aside. Add the fish in the pan and slather the tomatoes you had scooped out on top of the fish. Sprinkle the lemon zest on top, cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low. The steam softens the fish, allows the flavors to mix and brings out those oils.
Allow it to simmer for about 10-20 minutes. Do not mix as that will make the fish break and come apart.Once you are done, serve and garnish with finely chopped coriander.
Cook your ugali (or rice), serve some amazing traditional veggies such as creamed managu and have this with your tilapia peri peri. You can serve with some lemon wedges too for an extra boost of zestiness. Spicy, zesty, juicy and perfect!
I had this tilapia peri peri nearly every night last week. And as I write this, its all I am thinking about. You too have to make this to experience what a sweet addiction this really is!
If you are up for an unforgettable feast, this is for you!!
With Love,
-Kaluhi
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Hey there! My name is Kaluhi and I love food! Through my blog, I am happy to share with you my self-taught recipes, steeped in nostalgia and the happiest of memories. I hope each recipe you try out is as addictive as the previous one and is shared on a table full of love and hearty laughs!
I know you have heard this before, but I just need to remind you: making such recipes with no culinary training is real talent and a true gift you have. I think I will be making my fish this way from today henceforth.
I am truly flattered and deeply touched by your kind words! And more so knowing that what I enjoy doing adds value to your life.
Sending good vibes your way.
Haven’t seen fish looking this good!!!Will try your recipe and let you know how it goes.
Hey Berlyt!
Thank you for the compliment! I am sure you will end up as obsessed with this recipe as I am :))
i think am in your list of stalking. this really looks amazing and the ease of your recipes just lightens once spirit to cook. 🙂
Hey Evalyne! You are the kind of stalkers I totally like ;). Thank you so much for your kind words, I am glad I am showing you that cooking really is fun! :))) Cheers.
Cannot wait to try! I have always been petrified of making whole fish (never mind that it is my favorite meal); getting a deep fried one sounds like a deal!
Two questions:
1. Can i grill in the oven before doing this (in lieu of deep fried)
2. Does any store you know stock lemon zest? My grater (Not me!) is just too lazy to do it – i always end up leaving it out of recipes…
As usual, thanks! You are a charm 🙂
I had also been very scared in the past. But after several fails and excellent recipes later, its pretty easy.For your questions:
1. I think you can grill this. Since the whole point of deep frying is to cook the fish and grilling could achieve the same. It is not a method I have tried so I cannot expressly tell you the outcome.
2.I am yet to see lemon zest stocked in supermarkets. I think keeping it fresh for long would be a real challenge. But making your own takes less that 90 seconds, literally. Just prepare it the first thing before you begin cooking so that you do not forget using it.
Hope your take on my recipe turns out great ! :))))
Thanks!
Will give it a try soon
Awesome! Do let me know how it goes :))
Hey Kaluhi!
I thank and appreciate you for your blog. Your recipes are simple, easy to go about and simply stratospheric!! A happy and healthy world is but an earlier heaven. Thankyou for the positive impact. Love and love.
Thank you so much Sylvia! You have made me so happy. I pray for strength, and more creativity form God to keep this going. Stay blessed. xx
Hey gal, your recipes are always on point. Another self confessed stalker!
Btw we do our braids at the same place, aunty Connie is the best. Your blog is amaze balls…
Thank you so much for your compliment Eva :)). All glory to God! Aunty Connie is the best.. Kenyatta Market rocks! LOL
Trying this today hope it turns out as perfect as this
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Looking forward to your feedback :))
This looks so juicy. I’ll be trying this one soon for sure!
You will love it!