Thai Crispy Tamarind Fish

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Cooking Method: Frying

Cuisine: Thai

Courses: Main Courses, Street Food

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year, Summer, Spring

Description

Thai Crispy Tamarind Fish is a stunning dish that perfectly captures the sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors of Thai cuisine. A whole fish, such as tilapia or sea bass, is fried until golden and crispy, then topped with a rich tamarind sauce infused with garlic, shallots, and colorful bell peppers. The combination of crispy texture and vibrant, flavorful sauce makes this dish a true centerpiece, best enjoyed with jasmine rice to savor every drop of the sauce.

Ingredients

1 medium fish (tilapia or pompano)
4 tablespoons palm sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 cup tamarind juice extract
3 small shallots, diced
0.5 cup red bell pepper, diced
0.5 cup orange bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 red chili, chopped
Oil, for frying
0.5 cup cilantro, chopped

For Garnish:

Red bell pepper, sliced
Orange bell pepper, sliced
Cilantro leaves

Instructions

Prepare the Tamarind Sauce:

1
In a small sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Sauté the garlic, shallots, diced red and orange bell peppers, cilantro, and chili pepper until they become translucent and fragrant.
2
Add the tamarind juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar to the pan. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning to taste, then set the sauce aside.

Fry the Fish:

3
In a large frying pan, heat enough oil to submerge the fish. Once the oil is hot, carefully fry the fish until it is golden brown and crispy on both sides. The fish should be cooked through, with a crunchy exterior.
4
Remove the fish from the oil and drain it on paper towels to remove any excess oil.

Assemble the Dish:

5
Place the crispy fish on a serving platter. Pour the tamarind sauce over the fish, making sure to cover it evenly.
6
Garnish the fish with additional slices of red and orange bell peppers and fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve:

7
Serve the fish hot, accompanied by jasmine rice to soak up the flavorful tamarind sauce. Enjoy the contrast of textures and the vibrant, tangy flavors that make this dish a standout.

Maricel's Tips

You can substitute the fish with chicken filets for a different take on this dish. Simply fry the chicken filets until golden and crispy, then follow the same steps to top them with the delicious tamarind sauce. This variation is just as satisfying and a great way to enjoy the sauce with a different protein!
For an extra layer of flavor, marinate the fish in a little bit of fish sauce and lime juice for about 15 minutes before frying. This adds a subtle tanginess to the fish that pairs beautifully with the sweet and sour tamarind sauce. Just be sure to pat the fish dry before frying to ensure it gets nice and crispy!

Keywords: Thai crispy tamarind fish recipe, tamarind sauce for fish, Thai fried fish dish, crispy sea bass with tamarind, tilapia with tamarind sauce, Thai fish recipes, Thai sweet and tangy fish, authentic Thai seafood recipes

Read it online: https://maricelskitchen.com/recipe/thai-crispy-tamarind-fish/