Crispy Fried Tilapia Recipe: Delicious and Tempting

Tilapia is a familiar ingredient in Vietnamese family meals. With this simple recipe for crispy fried tilapia, you can prepare this nutritious dish right at home. Let’s explore the detailed recipe to create a crispy, flavorful fish dish!

How to Choose Fresh Tilapia

To ensure your crispy fried tilapia meets the standard of flavor, selecting the right ingredients is crucial. Here are some helpful tips to help you choose quality tilapia:

• Prioritize fish with clear, slightly protruding eyes and gills that are pinkish-red.
• The fish scales should still be shiny and tightly arranged like roof tiles.
• The body of the fish should be firm, without scratches or loose scales.
• When gently pressed, the flesh should have good elasticity, and the skin should not be pale.

Guide to Choosing Fresh Tilapia

Avoid choosing fish with unusual signs such as a swollen belly, weak fins, or pale colors, as these may indicate that the fish is no longer fresh.

Ingredients Needed

Main Ingredients

• 1 tilapia (about 800g – 1kg)
• 2 teaspoons of coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon of peppercorns
• Cooking oil

Ingredients for Dipping Sauce

• 3 cloves of garlic
• A small piece of ginger
• 1-2 chili peppers
• 1 lemon
• Fish sauce
• White sugar

Steps to Make Crispy Fried Tilapia

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Prepare the Tilapia

• Clean the scales, remove the fins, gills, and intestines.
• Rub salt thoroughly over the surface and inside the fish to remove any fishy smell.
• Scrape off the black membrane inside the belly and rinse with clean water.
• Let the fish drain completely before cooking.

Properly Preparing Tilapia

Note: The fish must be completely dry to avoid oil splattering or breaking apart when frying.

Prepare Other Ingredients

• Fresh herbs for serving: Remove wilted leaves, soak and rinse with diluted saltwater.
• Carrots, cucumbers, green bananas: Peel, rinse, and cut into thin, bite-sized strips.
• Garlic, chili, scallions: Rinse and finely chop.

Step 2: Marinate the Tilapia

• Make a few diagonal cuts on the body of the fish to allow the seasoning to penetrate and cook faster.
• Marinate the fish with fine salt and peppercorns, spreading evenly over the body and belly.
• Let the fish rest for about 10-15 minutes to absorb the seasoning.
• Place the fish in the refrigerator to dry the surface, making the skin crispier when fried.

Properly Marinating Tilapia

Step 3: Fry the Fish

• Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
• When the oil is hot, place the fish in the pan and fry for about 15-20 minutes until all sides are golden and crispy.
• Adjust the heat as needed to ensure the fish cooks evenly without burning.

Frying Tilapia to Crispy Perfection

Step 4: Prepare the Dipping Sauce

• Mix together:
  • 3 tablespoons of fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 1/2 – 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• Stir until the sugar dissolves, then add finely chopped garlic, chili, and ginger.

Final Product and Enjoyment

Crispy fried tilapia is beautifully presented with fresh vermicelli and herbs. When eating, wrap the fish with rice paper, vermicelli, and fresh herbs, and dip it in the sweet and sour fish sauce.

Finished Crispy Fried Tilapia

Conclusion

With the detailed instructions on how to make crispy fried tilapia provided above, you can confidently prepare this delicious and nutritious dish at home. The crispy, flavorful fish combined with the sweet and sour dipping sauce is sure to delight your family. Give it a try to change up your family meals!