Baked Creole Fish

Baked Creole Fish

If you are feeling adventurous, you can try this dish with a banana leaf instead of foil. To prepare the banana leaf, cut the leaf to roughly one square foot. Wash the leaf and then pass it over a flame so that it is pliable.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole medium sized fish, cleaned and gutted (you can use any firm-fleshed white fish like hake, kob or angel fish)

  • 1 lemon (to squeeze)

  • 1 cup coconut milk

  • ½ cup coriander leaves, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped fine

  • 1 tbsp canola oil

  • 1 tsp ginger, chopped fine

  • 1 tsp green chili powder, chopped fine

  • 1 tsp turmeric powder

  • 1 tsp cumin powder

  • 1 tsp coriander powder

  • 1.5 tsp curry powder

  • ¼ cup rice vinegar

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 1 tbsp toasted desiccated coconut

  • 1 sliced lemon for serving

How to make it

  • Make even cuts into the bone of the fish on one side, turn it over and do the same on the other side

  • Sprinkle salt over the fish

  • Squeeze the lemon juice into the spaces between the cuts

  • In a food processor or large bowl, combine all the other ingredients until thoroughly mixed

  • Place fish over foil or banana leaf and spoon marinade in between the cuts, turn over and do the same on the other side

  • Close up foil and place in a glass casserole dish to catch any marinade that drips out. If using a banana leaf, fold the ends to create a packet, tuck in the sides and place seam down in a casserole dish

  • Allow to marinate for 2 hours

  • Preheat the oven at 180 degrees for 15 minutes before baking

  • Bake in the hot oven for 15-25 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish

  • Once cooked, open the foil or packet, sprinkle desiccated coconut and place sliced lemons on top