It’s easy to get stuck in a cooking rut, especially if you’ve been using the same ingredients and flavors over and over again. This week, wake up your taste buds and shake up your routine by adding a couple of these must-try African-inspired Tilapia recipes to your meal plan. Since protein-rich Tilapia is indigenous to Africa, there are plenty of tantalizing dishes that take this fish to the next level with authentic African spices and ingredients. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites below so you don’t miss out on one of the hottest food trends of 2017.
Spicy North African Style Tilapia
This spicy north African style Tilapia recipe is inspired by the flavors of the North African countries of Tunisia and Morocco. It’s a must-try for those who like their dinner with a lot of heat. To make this Tilapia dish, sauté some onion and garlic, stir in tomato paste, hot paprika, caraway and cumin and cook for 20 minutes.
Try the recipe: Spicy North African Style Tilapia from A Sweet Life.
African-Style Grilled Tilapia
This African-style grilled Tilapia recipe is inspired by grilled fish stands often found in West African countries like Nigeria, Senegal and the Ivory Coast. To make this dish, make a few cuts along the side of the Tilapia and allow it to marinate for up to 24 hours in a mixture of spices, oil and herbs that includes African nutmeg, anise seeds, onion and ginger. Once it’s marinated, simply grill the fish in a grill basket until done; about 10 minutes. For a truly African-inspired meal, serve with grilled plantains.
Try the recipe: African-Style Grilled Tilapia from African Bites.
Swahili Fish Stew
For a truly authentic African meal, try this Swahili fish stew recipe. The recipe comes from a Kenyan chef that the bloggers met on their travels through East Africa. It’s considered a staple in the region, similar to chili in America. The dish features tender pieces of Tilapia that you marinate in olive oil, garlic, Garam Masala, curry powder, cumin and coriander. Then, bake it in the oven and add a sauce of coconut milk, tomatoes and chili peppers. Make sure you serve this dish over rice so you can enjoy all the sauce.
Try the recipe: Swahili Fish Stew from Beekman 1802.
Moroccan Tilapia
If you’ve got a picky eater in the family who doesn’t like different foods, try this Moroccan Tilapia recipe. It’s a great way to incorporate some African flavors into a meal that features familiar ingredients. Mild Tilapia fillets are cooked in a rich tomato sauce with chickpeas and warm Moroccan spices like cumin, coriander and paprika. The results are a comforting dinner that even those who are wary about seafood will enjoy.
Try the recipe: Moroccan Tilapia from LaaLoosh.
These African-inspired Tilapia recipes are sure to be added to your regular rotation once you taste for yourself how delicious they are. If you’re unsure where to find some of these ingredients, check the international foods aisle at your local grocery store or stop by your closest African grocer.
Want more international cooking inspiration? Check out these 5 international fish dishes that you may have never heard of.
Photo credits: Gayvoronskaya_Yana / Shutterstock Inc., African Bites, Olga Nayashkova / Shutterstock Inc., pikachakula, LaaLoosh
