Buzz
If you’re tired of cod and want to experience the mild taste of white fish, consider basa. Basa fillets are easy to season and can be prepared in numerous ways. For a light and refined meal, preheat your grill, wrap the fillets in foil with lemon and fresh herbs. If you desire a bit of spice, drizzle some chili sauce on the fish and grill it until the flesh flakes easily. For a crispy dish, you can dip the fish in cornstarch and fry it until the pieces turn a rich golden color.
Ingredients
Grilled Basa Fish with Lemon and Herbs
- 4 basa fillets
- 4 teaspoons (20 ml) olive oil
- 4 sprigs of fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, basil)
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prepare 4 servings
Spicy Grilled Basa Fillets
- 4 pieces of basa fillet
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) red chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons (4 g) grated fresh ginger
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons (55 g) pureed tomato
Prepare 4 servings
Crispy Fried Basa Fillets
- 4 pieces of basa fillet
- 3/4 cup (120 g) cornstarch
- 2/3 cup (80 g) all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons (8 g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) cayenne pepper
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water
- 1.5 cups (350 ml) vegetable oil
Prepare 4 servings
Steps
Grilled Basa with Lemon and Herbs
Place the fillets on pieces of aluminum foil. Tear off 4 pieces of foil, each about 45 cm to 50 cm long. Place each fillet in the center of a sheet of foil, lengthwise.
Ướp cá với muối, tiêu, dầu, chanh và thảo mộc. Rưới 1 thìa cà phê (5 ml) dầu lô liu lên từng miếng phi lê cá, sau đó rắc muối và tiêu lên cả hai mặt cá. Chia các lát chanh mỏng thành 4 phần và đặt lên các miếng phi lê cá. Cho các nhánh thảo mộc lên trên cùng.
- Dùng các loại thảo mộc ưa thích của bạn, chẳng hạn như mùi tây, hương thảo hoặc oregano.
Bọc kín giấy bạc. Cầm hai mép giấy bạc chập vào giữa. Gấp các mép giấy bạc theo chiều dài và gấp hai đầu thành túi để bọc kín cá bên trong.
- Lớp giấy bạc sẽ giữ hơi nước bên trong khi nướng cá.
Làm nóng một nửa vỉ nướng ở nhiệt độ cao. Nếu dùng vỉ nướng ga, bạn hãy bật một họng bếp ở một bên vỉ nướng ở mức lửa lớn, bên kia không bật. Nếu dùng vỉ nướng than, bạn cho các bánh than vào bếp và nhóm lửa. Gạt than nóng về một bên vỉ nướng và để trống bên còn lại.
- Đậy nắp vỉ nướng trong khi nướng cá.
Bạn có biết? Tạo hai vùng nhiệt khác nhau trên vỉ nướng là để cho dễ kiểm soát lửa trong khi nướng. Cách này sẽ giúp cá khỏi bị khô và quá lửa.
Đặt các bọc giấy bạc lên khu vực nhiệt gián tiếp trên vỉ nướng và đậy nắp vỉ. Xếp 4 bọc giấy bạc lên vỉ nướng đã làm nóng. Điều quan trọng ở bước này là đặt các bọc giấy bạc lên khu vực ít nóng hơn, nơi họng bếp không bật hoặc không có than nóng. Đậy nắp vỉ nướng lại.
Grill the basa fish for 10-15 minutes. If the fish pieces are thin, check them after 10 minutes of grilling. Wear heat-resistant gloves and carefully use tongs to open the foil. Insert a fork into the center of the fish and pull it out. If the fish is opaque and flakes easily, it is cooked.
- If the fish isn't fully cooked, wrap it back in the foil and place it back on the grill. Check again after 2-3 minutes.
- Be cautious when opening the foil as hot steam will escape.
Serve the grilled basa fillets. Once the fish is cooked, transfer the foil packets to a plate. Open each packet and place the grilled fish onto the serving plate. You can serve the grilled basa with roasted bell peppers, potato salad, or mixed greens.
- Store any leftover grilled fish in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Spicy Grilled Basa Fillets
Preheat the oven to 177°C and place the fish on a baking tray. Arrange the 4 pieces of basa fillet in a single layer on the tray. Position the oven rack in the middle of the oven.
Season the basa fish with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon (2 g) of ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt, and drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of lemon juice over both sides of the fish.
- Fresh lemon juice has the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can also be used.
Marinate the fish for 15 minutes. Set the fish aside while you prepare the spicy seasoning mix. The basa fish will absorb the flavors of salt, pepper, and lemon juice during the marination process.
- Since the marination time is short, you can leave the fish at room temperature.
Mix the oil, chili sauce, ginger, garlic, and pureed tomatoes. Pour 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of vegetable oil into a small bowl and add 2 tablespoons (30 g) of red chili sauce. Stir in 2 teaspoons (4 g) of freshly grated ginger, 4 cloves of minced garlic, and 4 tablespoons (50 g) of pureed tomatoes.
Alternative seasonings:
3 tablespoons (40 g) melted butter
3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce
2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
1 teaspoon (2.5 g) chili powder
1/2 teaspoon (2 g) sugar
1 teaspoon (2 g) dried basil
2 teaspoons (4 g) dried oregano
Brush the spicy seasoning onto the fish. Evenly drizzle the spicy mix over each piece of fish fillet placed on a baking tray. Use the back of a spoon to spread the seasoning, ensuring the fillets are fully covered.
Bake the fish for about 20-25 minutes. Place the tray of fish in the preheated oven and bake until the fish flakes easily when you pull a fork through the center. Alternatively, you can insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the fish to ensure it reaches 63°C (145°F) inside.
Take the fish out of the oven and serve it. Turn off the oven and remove the fish tray. Serve the hot fish with white rice and roasted vegetables.
- If you have leftover roasted fish, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Deep-fried basa fish fillets
Mix the cornflour with 3 tablespoons (25 g) of flour and the seasoning. Measure out 3/4 cup (120 g) of cornflour and place it in a shallow dish or bowl. Add 3 tablespoons (25 g) of flour, 1.5 teaspoons (8 g) of salt, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of cayenne pepper. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
Prepare the batter with egg and the remaining flour. Take two additional shallow dishes or bowls. Place 1/2 cup (50 g) of the remaining flour in one dish and crack an egg into the other. Add 1 tablespoon (25 ml) of water to the egg and whisk it together until smooth.
- The purpose of diluting the egg with water is to make it easier for the egg to coat the surface of the fish.
Heat the vegetable oil for about 4 minutes. Pour 1.5 cups (350 ml) of vegetable oil into a large pan or deep fryer and set the stove to medium-high heat. Let it heat for about 4 minutes until the oil starts to bubble gently.
- If desired, you can use another oil with a higher smoke point, such as peanut or canola oil.
Dip the fish in flour, egg, and cornflour. Place 4 pieces of fish in the flour and flip them to coat the surface evenly. Then, dip the floured fish into the egg mixture. Lift each piece to allow any excess egg to drip off, then coat them in the cornflour so that the surface is evenly covered.
- The flour and egg coating will become crispy when fried, and the moisture will evaporate from the batter.
Did you know? Cornflour helps the basa fish fillets stay crispy while frying. The fish will not become crispy unless it's coated with a layer of flour.
Fry 2 fish fillets for 4-5 minutes. Gently place the coated fish into the hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes, then carefully flip and fry for another 2 minutes. The fish will turn golden brown and crispy. The fish flesh will flake easily when you pierce it with a fork and pull it apart.
- Let the oil heat back up before frying the remaining fillets.
- Use two spatulas to flip the fish to avoid breaking the fillets.
Enjoy the crispy fried basa fish. Turn off the heat once the frying is complete. Transfer the fried fillets to a plate lined with paper towels and serve while hot. Garnish the fish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of salt.
- Crispy fried basa fillets are delicious when paired with potato salad or mixed greens.
- It is not recommended to store crispy fried basa fish, as it will lose its crispiness.
Tip
- Basa fish is also sold under the names swai (pangasius) or bocourti.
Things You Will Need
Grilled Basa Fish with Lemon and Herbs
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Aluminum foil
- Gas or charcoal grill
- Fork
- Plate
Spicy Grilled Basa Fish Fillets
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking tray
- Small bowl
- Spoon
- Fork
Crispy Fried Basa Fish Fillets
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large frying pan or deep fryer
- Cooking spatula
- Shallow bowl or deep plate
- Paper towels
- Lemon
