Poisson Braisé Sauce Tomate Épicée
Spicy Grilled Fish with Tomato Sauce
A popular Cameroonian dish featuring grilled fish marinated in a blend of spices, served with a vibrant and spicy tomato sauce. This dish showcases the country's love for well-seasoned seafood.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Whole fish(e.g., tilapia, sea bass, cleaned and scaled)
- 500 g Tomatoes(chopped)
- 1 large Onions(chopped)
- 5 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp Crayfish powder(optional)
- 1 tsp Curry powder
- 0.5 tsp Thyme(dried)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(ground)
- 4 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp Lime juice
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Score the fish on both sides. In a small bowl, mix together half of the minced garlic, half of the grated ginger, half of the chopped scotch bonnet, curry powder, thyme, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Rub this mixture all over the fish, inside and out. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- 2
Preheat your grill or oven to 200°C (400°F). Grill or bake the fish for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and flaky. Baste with a little oil halfway through.
💡 Tip: If grilling, wrap the fish in foil to prevent it from drying out. - 3
While the fish is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the remaining minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped scotch bonnet pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 5
Add the chopped tomatoes, crayfish powder (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the tomatoes have broken down.
💡 Tip: You can add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too dry. - 6
Once the fish is cooked, place it on a serving platter. Spoon the spicy tomato sauce generously over the fish.
💡 Tip: Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use fresh, good-quality fish for the best results.
- ✓Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of scotch bonnet pepper.
- ✓This dish is often served with boiled plantains, rice, or a side salad.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Marinate the fish with a bit of tomato paste for a deeper color.
- Add sliced bell peppers to the tomato sauce for extra texture and flavor.