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Sweet and Sour Tilapia
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5 from 1 vote

How to Cook Sweet and Sour Tilapia

This is a sweet and sour tilapia recipe. The fish is fried first then combined with a sweet and sour sauce made from carrots, bell peppers, onions, garlic, catsup, ginger and cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Fish Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: sweet sour tilapia
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 120kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

  • 2 pcs large Tilapia or pla-pla
  • 1 medium size red bell pepper cut into strips
  • 1 small carrots cut into strips
  • 1 piece onion sliced into rings
  • 4 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 thumb size ginger cut into strips
  • 2 stalks green onion cut into 1 inch long (optional)
  • 1/2 cup tomato catsup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch dissolve in 1/2 cup water
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups water
  • Cooking oil for frying

Instructions

How to cook Sweet and Sour Tilapia:

  • Clean the tilapia and remove the gills and internal organs (if you haven't asked the fish vendor to remove the gills and internal organ.)
  • Wash in running water to clean the fishes and rub with salt. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
  • Fry the tilapia until golden brown then transfer to a colander to drain excess oil. Transfer to a serving dish.
  • In a saucepan heat 2 Tbsp. of cooking oil and saute garlic, onion and ginger until cooked.
  • Add in the carrots and stir fry for a few seconds then add in the red bell pepper.
  • Pour the tomato ketchup and cornstarch, stir cook in low fire for a few minutes.
  • Add in the brown sugar and season with salt and pepper. Adjust the amount if necessary.
  • Add some water if the sauce seems to thick and adjust to achieve the perfect consistency.
  • Pout the sauce over the fried tilapia and garnish with green onion. Serve hot.

Video

Notes

Cooking Tips For Sweet and Sour Tilapia:

  1. To achieve a perfectly crispy texture, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the tilapia. Test the temperature by dropping a small piece of bread into the oil - if it sizzles and turns golden brown quickly, it's ready for frying.
  2. Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sweet and sour sauce to suit your taste by gradually adding brown sugar and vinegar, tasting and adjusting as you go until you achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
  3. For a healthier alternative, you can opt for baking or grilling the tilapia instead of frying. Brush the fish with a little oil and cook it in a preheated oven or on a grill until it's cooked through and slightly browned.
  4. To enhance the overall presentation of the dish, consider garnishing the sweet and sour tilapia with thinly sliced fresh bell peppers, chopped cilantro, or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, adding a pop of color and additional flavor to your plate.