Peppered Fish with Spicy Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A fiery Nigerian-style pan-fried fish served with a vibrant, spicy tomato and pepper sauce that enhances the fish's natural flavors. This African recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs whole tilapia fish, cleaned, vegetable oil, onion, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 African cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 whole cleaned tilapia fish under cold water, pat dry, then rub inside and out with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Set aside for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish and fry for 6-7 minutes on each side until the skin is crisp and the fish is cooked through. Remove fish and set on a plate.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 medium sliced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger. Sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add the blended mixture of 3 medium fresh tomatoes, 2 medium red bell peppers, and 1 small scotch bonnet pepper. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat until the sauce thickens and the oil begins to separate.
  5. Step 5: Season the sauce with salt to taste and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stirring well.
  6. Step 6: Spoon the spicy tomato sauce over the fried fish and serve immediately with steamed rice or plantains.

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