Cape Malay Pickled fish is one of the traditional dishes eaten around holidays. Often eaten with hot, buttered cross bread, this pan-fried dish with lightly spiced fish soaked in a marinade of onions, sugar, vinegar, and whole and ground spices. The dish is widely popular in the western cape and eaten over Easter.

The recipe given here is for a family of 6 people. So, you can adjust the spice portions according to your family size. It takes around 1.5 hours to create and an additional 1 day to pickle the dish before serving.

INGREDIENTS FOR CAPE MALAY PICKLED FISH

Vegetable oil for frying - ½ cup
Cod fillet fish - 3 pounds, cut into 2-3 ounce portions
Salt - as per taste
Onions - 2 large ones, peeled and sliced into rings
Chopped garlic - 2 cloves
Black pepper - 8 whole peppercorns
Allspice - 4 whole berries
Bay leaves - 3 leaves
Chile pepper - one, seed removed and sliced lengthwise
Red wine vinegar - 2 cups
Water - ½ cup
Packed brown sugar - ½ cup or as per your taste
Curry powder - 2 tablespoon
Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
Cumin powder - ½ tablespoon and ½ teaspoon
Coriander powder - ½ tablespoon and ½ teaspoon

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:

Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet on medium to high flame.
Season the fish with salt and place it in a skillet.
Fry the fish on both sides until it becomes brown and well-cooked. It would take about 5 minutes per side.
Keep aside the fish once it's done.

Step 2:

In the same skillet, saute the onion and garlic on medium heat until translucent.
Roast bay leaves, peppercorns, allspice berries, and red chile pepper.
Add vinegar and water and bring it to a boil.
Add brown sugar and stir until it dissolves.
Season with curry powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, and coriander powder.
Taste the pickling mixture and adjust the sweetness if needed.

Step 3:

Place the fish and pour the pickling mix into a non-sterile glass or non-metallic container.
Pour the mixture over, covering the top layer of the fish.
Keep it out until it cools down, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.

For this dish to taste its authentic flavor, ensure all the spices you use are fresh and of the highest quality. To buy these spices in bulk, visit our website or contact us.

ORDER THESE SPICES FROM KITCHENHUTT FOR THIS RECIPE:

Turmeric powder
Fennel Seeds Whole
Cumin powder
Coriander powder