Malakal Rice with Nile Perch
A flavorful rice dish from Malakal, South Sudan, featuring tender Nile perch cooked with aromatic spices and served with a rich tomato sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Nile Perch fillets(cut into chunks)
- 2 cups Basmati rice
- 2 large Onions(finely chopped)
- 3 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 3.5 cups Water or fish broth
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for garnish Fresh coriander
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the Nile perch chunks with salt, black pepper, and turmeric. Set aside.
- 2
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
- 3
Add minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- 5
Add coriander powder and cumin powder. Stir well to combine with the tomato mixture.
- 6
Add the seasoned Nile perch chunks to the pot. Gently stir to coat them with the sauce.
- 7
Pour in the water or fish broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
- 8
While the stew is simmering, rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a separate pot, combine the rinsed rice with 3.5 cups of water (or broth) and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- 9
Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- 10
Serve the Malakal Rice with Nile Perch hot, spooning the fish and tomato sauce over the fluffy basmati rice. Garnish with fresh coriander.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the Nile perch is fresh for the best flavor.
- ✓Do not overcook the fish, as it can become dry.
- ✓Adjust the amount of spices to your personal preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or okra to the stew.
- Use a different type of white fish if Nile perch is unavailable.