deviled fish(Sri Lankan, spicy chili fish stir-fry)

Ingredients

• 500f fish chunks(yellow fin tuna or sailfish also known as thalapath are ideal)
• 1/8 teaspoon(a pinch) of turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon of pepper
• 2 teaspoon of chillie powder(increase or decrease as per your need)
• Salt to season
• 2 cups of oil to deep fry the fish(less oil is needed if you choose to shallow fry(1/2 a cup). read notes above for other ways to fry the fish.
• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 2 medium-sized onions cut into thick wedges
• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic(about 3 cloves of garlic)
• 4 capsicums cut lengthwise or sliced in two
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 tablespoon tomato sauce(also known as tomato ketchup)
• 2 teaspoon of red chilli flakes(increase or decrease as per your need)
• 1/4 cup thick coconut milk(only add if you need extra sauce or gravy, skip if you want the devil fish as a dry dish)
• 1 tablespoon of sugar(only add if you want to give the fish stir fry a sweet and spicy element)

Instructions

1. 1

   Have all the ingredients you need ready.

2. 2

   Preparing and marinating the fish.Cut the tuna into cubes(500g), if you are unable to do this, you can get them precut from fish stores or your fishmonger.

3. 3

   Place in a bowl, add a pinch(1/8 tsp)of turmeric.

4. 4

   Mix well and rinse the fish twice. drain any excess water completely. the tuna cubes need to be dry.

5. 5

   Place the fish cubes in a bowl. add pepper(1 tbs), red chilies powder(2 tsp), salt to season(1/2 tsp should do).

6. 6

   How to fry the fish cubes.As mentioned earlier on the post, you can either deep fry, shallow fry or use an air fryer for a healthier option. deep fry to a golden brown.

7. 7

   Deep fryingPour oil(2 cups)into a deep frying pan and gradually bring the oil to low-medium heat. avoid oil from smoking. fry the marinated fish in small batches. you might also want to keep your windows open or the exhaust fan over your stovetop on high.

8. 8

   Shallow fryingI chose this method. a longer time was needed as I had to constantly turn the fish pieces individually to give all of them an even fry.

9. 9

   Air-fryer.Follow instructions given on the appliance.

10. 10

    Place the fried fish over some paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

11. 11

    Making the devil fish sauce.Onions(2 medium), tomatoes(3 medium), capsicum(4, substitute with bell peppers)need to be cut into thick pieces.

12. 12

    Place wok over low-medium fire. add oil(2 tablespoons), add garlic(1 tbs) and ginger(1 tbs), green chillies(2). cook for a few seconds until they release their aroma.

13. 13

    Add the green peppers, cook for 3 minutes and then add the onion and tomato wedges.

14. 14

    Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until they soften.

15. 15

    Add tomato sauce(1/4 cup), soy sauce(2 tbs), red chilli flakes(2 tsp)

16. 16

    Only add thick coconut milk(1/4 cup)if you need extra gravy, skip this ingredient if you want a dry deviled fish stir fry.

17. 17

    Cook for 3-5 minutes over low medium heat.

18. 18

    Taste and adjust the seasoning as per your need.

19. 19

    This could mean adding more tomato sauce, more red chilies flakes, salt to make it a sweet and spicy variation.

20. 20

    Once you have the deviled fish sauce ready. add in fried fish to the sauce.

21. 21

    Gently combine the sauce with the fish and cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes.

22. 22

    Serve warm.