Stewed Red Snapper Fillets
Thanksgiving came and went and left me feeling like the stuffed chicken we had on our table. We decided not to cook a host of dishes this year, but somehow, it still ended up being a lot of food. And I still ended up eating more than I wanted to. I've been feeling for something a little lighter for dinner and had the taste for stewed red snapper fillets in my mouth. My dad makes this stew really well so we cooked it together and used some red snapper we bought at the market. This stuff is so good y'all. It's so spicy and the gravy really packs on the flavor. The fresh tomatoes make the gravy nice and light while the fried fish adds texture. I usually have this with paratha roti, but this time I opted for jasmine rice.
This is a simple dish I would cook for dinner during the week using whatever fish I have in my freezer. I prefer to fry the fish before adding to the sauce. It thickens the sauce nicely and also helps to keep the fish together so it doesn't break apart when placed in the hot gravy.
Stewed Red Snapper fillets
Ingredients
- 3 lbs red snapper fillet or any white fish fillet
- 2 cups fresh tomato, chopped
- 2 teaspoon tomato paste
- 6 curry leaves (optional)
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 wiri wiri or other hot pepper
- 3 tablespoon oil for sauteing
- 3 sprig fresh thyme leaf
- salt to taste - start with 1 tsp
- water to cover
Seasoning for fish
- 2 tablespoon green seasoning
- 1 tablespoon blackened seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- flour to coat fish
- oil to fry fish
Instructions
- Clean fish and pat dry.
- Season fish with green seasoning, blackened seasoning, black pepper, and paprika. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Coat in flour and fry until golden brown. Set aside.
- Chop tomato, onions, garlic cloves. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a wide-bottomed pot. Add onion, garlic, pepper, curry leaves. Cook until tender. Add tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes have melted and mixture looks like a sauce.
- Add fried fish and enough water to cover the fish along with tomato paste. Let boil until sauce thickens.
- Adjust salt to taste.
Notes
Additional Tips
Green seasoning is a puree of onions, garlic, hot pepper, and green herbs. You can buy this in a Caribbean supermarket or make your own. I do a simple version with 1 onion, 1 head of garlic cloves, and a few wiri wiri pepper or 1 scotch bonnet pepper, and fresh thyme leaves. Add a little water, blend until smooth. Use what you need and refrigerate the rest.
I prefer the Zatarain's brand of blackened seasoning, but any brand will work. The cajun spices in the mix are usually the same with some variation.
Use a skillet or shallow pot so each fish fillet can lay flat. You do not want the fish to be stacked on top of each other, otherwise they will break apart.
K ami says
So happy you are back. I have been checking your website everyday. Adore ALL your recipes, and have successfully made many of them. This website is a treasure. Congratulations on your family. Stay well.
Kami Singh-Gocool says
Red snapper is my favorite and stew is my son's favorite too. This looks great.
Kake says
I've been looking for blackened seasoning here in London, and I can't seem to find it. However I do have access to Tropical Sun “Everyday Seasoning” and “All Purpose Seasoning” — would either of those work? The first one has ingredients: Salt, Paprika, Sugar, Onion, Chilli, Mustard, Garlic, Celery, Cumin, Pepper, Oregano, Anti Caking Agent (Magnesium Carbonate) and the second one has ingredients: Salt, Paprika, Coriander, Chilli, Onion, Pepper, Garlic, Nutmeg, Pimento.
Kake says
Thanks again for the recipe and advice on seasoning. I made it tonight and it worked really well! I halved the amount of fish because I wasn't cooking for that many people, but kept the seasonings the same.
Alica says
Hi Kake, The blackened seasoning is similar to a cajun seasoning, if you can get your hands on that, great! If not, use whatever seasoning you have, it doesn't have to be exact with cooking :).
Kake says
Thanks! I can get cajun seasoning, so I’ll use that.
TexasMama says
Thank you for all your recipes! Keep up the great work.
Davi says
I remember you posted a salmon stew on Instagram or insta story (I cannot recall). Would it be okay to substitute red snapper for Salmon with this recipe? Thank u!
Alica says
Hi David, yes that should work fine :).