Steaming Tilapia, Filipino Style: A Simple, Healthy Dish

Tilapia is a versatile fish that can be cooked in many ways, including frying, grilling, baking, and steaming. In this article, we will focus on how to cook steamed tilapia in the Filipino style. Steaming is a gentle cooking method that preserves the moisture and flavour of the fish, making it a healthy and delicious option. The process of steaming tilapia is straightforward and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and cooking equipment. Whether you're a novice or experienced cook, creating a tasty steamed tilapia dish is achievable and rewarding.

How to prepare the fish for steaming

Preparing the fish for steaming is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the fish for steaming, Filipino-style:

Firstly, you will need to clean and scale your whole tilapia, and remove its innards. Rinse the fish well, paying close attention to the cavity. Pat the fish dry with paper towels. To allow the flavours to penetrate the fish, make two to three slits across the body of the fish on both sides. Be sure to cut down to the bones to create more space for the stuffing.

Next, season the fish with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings at this point, such as tamarind powder, lemon or lime juice, or gin and rum. Rub the seasonings all over the fish, including inside the cavity. Let the fish sit for about 10 to 15 minutes to allow it to absorb the flavours.

Now it's time to stuff the fish. In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, chopped onions, minced ginger, lemon or lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other ingredients such as garlic, cilantro, green onions, and chilli peppers if you like. Mix the ingredients well. Generously scoop the mixture into the cavity of the fish, making sure to stuff it full. You can also use this mixture to fill the slits you made earlier.

Once the fish is stuffed, wrap it securely in aluminium foil. Double-wrap the fish to prevent juices from leaking out during steaming. You can also use banana leaves instead of foil for added aroma.

Your fish is now ready for steaming! Place the foil-wrapped fish in a steamer basket or a wok/deep skillet with a lid. You can also use a metal tiered steamer or a large pot. Make sure your steaming setup has a rack or a small can at the bottom to elevate the fish above the water. Bring the water to a slow boil and adjust the heat to medium. Steam the fish for about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on its size.

To check if the fish is done, insert a small knife into the thickest part of the flesh. The fish is cooked when it flakes easily. Carefully remove the fish from the steamer and transfer it to a plate.

You can serve the steamed tilapia as it is, or with a sauce on the side. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Filipino-style steamed tilapia!

The best aromatics to use

The aromatics you use in your steamed tilapia will make all the difference. The right aromatics will add depth of flavour to your dish and enhance the taste of the fish.

For a classic Filipino-style steamed tilapia, you can stuff the cavity of the fish with a mixture of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger. This will give your dish an explosion of flavours. You can also add other herbs and spices like cilantro, green onions, and chili peppers if you want a bit of heat.

If you want to add a unique fragrance to your dish, try wrapping the tilapia in banana leaves instead of aluminum foil. This will not only make your dish smell amazing but also add a subtle, sweet flavour to the fish.

For a Chinese-style steamed tilapia, you can follow a similar method by lining your steamer with banana leaves and adding aromatics like garlic, ginger, and onions. You can also add soy sauce, sesame oil, and cilantro to give your dish an authentic Chinese flavour profile.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of aromatics to find the perfect flavour profile for your steamed tilapia.

How to make a dipping sauce

There are several dipping sauces that can accompany steamed tilapia, Filipino style. Here is a recipe for a sweet lemon-ginger sauce, as well as some other suggestions.

Sweet lemon-ginger sauce

This sauce is designed to accompany steamed fish, and is made by heating lemon juice with sugar, adding water and bringing to a boil, then putting in lemon zest and ginger strips and simmering until the sauce thickens.

Calamansi and soy sauce

This sauce is a simple combination of calamansi juice and soy sauce.

Spicy vinegar

This sauce is made by combining small cubes of tomato, spring onion, ginger, vinegar, and soy sauce.

Toyomansi

Toyomansi is another dipping sauce that can be served with steamed tilapia.

Other suggestions

Other ideas for dipping sauces include banana ketchup, toyo-kalamansi sauce, and butter and lemon.

How to steam without a steamer

To cook Pinaputok na Tilapia, a Filipino-style stuffed fish, without a steamer, you can use a few different methods and tools. Here are some ways to achieve the perfect steam:

Using a Large Pot, a Heatproof Plate, and Aluminium Foil

Take three sheets of aluminium foil and roll them into balls the size of baseballs or golf balls. Place them at the bottom of a large pot and pour in about half an inch to an inch of water. Place a heatproof plate on top of the foil balls and add the stuffed tilapia to the plate. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam until the fish is cooked through.

Using a Wire Cooling Rack

If you have an elevated wire cooling rack, you can use it instead of a steamer basket. Add an inch of water to a pot with a tight-fitting lid, place the wire cooling rack in the pan, and then place the stuffed tilapia on top of the rack. Close the lid and steam until the fish is cooked to your desired doneness.

Using a Disposable Aluminium Pie Pan

You can also use a disposable aluminium pie pan as a steamer basket substitute. Poke several holes into the bottom of the pan and place it upside down in a pot filled with about an inch of water. Place the stuffed tilapia on top of the inverted pan, making sure the water doesn't touch the food. Cover the pot and steam until the fish is cooked.

Using a Microwave

Place the stuffed tilapia in a microwave-safe bowl and add a few tablespoons of water. Cover the bowl tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap, ensuring the plastic doesn't touch the fish. Microwave for 4-6 minutes until the fish is fork-tender.

Using a Wok Setup

If you have a wok, you can create a simple DIY steamer. Place a round cooking rack in the centre of the wok and add about an inch of water, ensuring the water doesn't touch the highest part of the rack. Cover the wok and turn the heat to medium. Once the water is boiling or steam is escaping, add the stuffed tilapia, cover the wok again, and let it cook according to your preferred recipe or level of doneness.

How to serve the steamed tilapia

Once your tilapia is cooked, it's time to serve it! Here are some tips and suggestions to make your steamed tilapia a delicious and enjoyable meal:

• Plating: When plating your steamed tilapia, consider using a large platter or dish to showcase the fish. You can place the fish in the centre of the plate and arrange any sides or garnishes around it. This will make your dish look more presentative and inviting.
• Sides: Steamed tilapia goes well with a variety of side dishes. Consider serving it with steamed rice, which is a common accompaniment in Filipino cuisine. You can also offer other options such as roasted vegetables, green salad, or even fries.
• Sauces: A variety of sauces can complement the flavour of steamed tilapia. In the Filipino style, you can offer toyomansi (a mixture of soy sauce and calamansi juice) or sawsawan (a combination of small tomato cubes, spring onions, ginger, spicy vinegar, and soy sauce). Other sauce options include garlic oil, where you fry garlic in oil until golden, or a sweet lemon-ginger sauce made by heating lemon juice with sugar and adding water, lemon zest, and ginger strips.
• Garnishes: To enhance the presentation and flavour of your steamed tilapia, consider garnishing it with fresh herbs such as cilantro or green onions. You can also add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice over the fish just before serving to brighten the flavours.
• Temperature: It is best to serve steamed tilapia while it is still hot or warm. If you need to keep the fish warm while preparing other components of the meal, you can tent it with foil or place it in a low-temperature oven.
• Portion Size: Depending on the size of your tilapia, you may want to consider portioning it before serving. A whole tilapia can be divided into fillets or smaller pieces to make it easier for your guests to serve themselves.
• Utensils: Provide your guests with appropriate utensils for eating the steamed tilapia. For a more casual setting, you can offer forks and knives, or even encourage eating with hands, which is a common practice in Filipino culture. For a more formal setting, provide fish knives and forks to make it easier to eat the fish.
• Accompanying Dishes: To make your meal more substantial, consider serving the steamed tilapia with other Filipino dishes or sides. Some options include fried plantains, coconut rice, or vegetable dishes such as Ensaladang Tagalog.
• Beverages: When deciding on beverages to serve with your steamed tilapia, consider options that will complement the flavours of the dish. For beverages, you can offer a variety of options such as iced tea, fruit juices, or even beer.
• Presentation: To elevate the presentation of your steamed tilapia, consider adding some colour and texture to the plate. You can achieve this by adding a bed of greens, such as spinach or arugula, or by garnishing with herb sprigs or edible flowers.

Frequently asked questions