Tilapia may be considered as poor mans tuna in some parts of the world, but there is a tilapia recipe that will tickle your taste buds just as much as any other fancy fish recipes. Once you have cleaned the fish, taken out the scales, fins, gills and gut, that is, it is prepared for the pot. The first thing to do is to make diagonal scores right up to the back bone of the fish, on both sides. Then rub into the cuts and all over the fish a spicy paste of lemon juice, chili powder, turmeric and salt. Let it sit for a while. Lightly fry the fish in a shallow pan, using just a small amount of oil. Coconut oil will be excellent. Remove the fish and set aside. In another pan, heat a small amount of oil ( the oil you used to fry the fish in), and when the oil is hot throw in a few curry leaves, a small amount of mustard seeds, a few fenugreek seeds. When they begin to splutter, rather ferociously, let me warn you, throw in a handful of sliced onions. Shallots would be best. When the onions are soft, add a cup or so of tamarind extract that is spiced up with chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric and salt. You may add a couple of tomatoes that are quartered. When the liquid comes to a boil, reduce heat and add the marinated fish. The liquid should be enough to cover the fish and then some. If you want to add a touch of class to this simple tilapia recipe, you may add a small amount of ground coconut. When the fish is cooked, enjoy the curry with rice! There are also many other fish recipe ideas that you can prepare.
