If you’re looking for a simple but delicious centre piece that also works perfectly for weeknights, this Asian style whole baked black tilapia is for you.
Tilapia is a sustainable fish that is getting more and more popular in the U.K. It has a mild flavour and soft texture that makes it ideal for those who aren’t very keen on fish – and that also means it sucks up lots of delicious flavours from whatever you decide to cook with it.
This recipe utilises a simple handful of ingredients- sesame oil, coriander, orange and ginger – to create a sunshine of a dish. It’s perfect served with creamy soy and cucumber noodles.
Ingredients, Substitutions and Variations
- Black tilapia – you will need a whole black tilapia for this recipe, with the fish guys removed but bones kept in. Your fishmonger will be able to do this for you. It should be approximately 800g. If your fish is slightly bigger or smaller, just extend or reduce the cooking time.
- Fresh coriander – a big handful of fresh coriander is needed.
- Orange – you could switch this for lemon or lime, but the orange brings a delectable sweetness that you wouldn’t get from other citrus fruits.
- Fresh ginger – this recipe uses a lot of fresh ginger. It permeates the fish with that gentle heat.
- Sesame oil – you could switch for olive oil, but sesame oil brings that amazing Asian flavour.
Top Tips
- En papillote In this recipe, the whole black tilapia is cooked en papillote. This might sound fancy, but I think it’s the easiest way of cooking whole fish. You’re essentially wrapping it in baking paper with all of the ingredients and popping it in the oven.
- Cooking the fish You’ll know the fish is cooked when the flesh is white and flaky.
- Serving the fish This dish is best brought whole to the table! Let your guests exclaim at the prettiness, and then everyone can dig in. The flesh will come away easily from the bones (watch out for those).
Asian Style Whole Baked Black Tilapia
A whole black tilapia cooked en papillote with coriander, orange and ginger.
Ingredients
- 1 whole black tilapia Guts removed, approx 800g
- 20 grams fresh coriander
- 10 cm chunk of ginger
- ½ orange
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
- Lay a large sheet of baking parchment on a baking tray. Place the coriander on top of this.
- Cut the orange into slices, then lay these on top of the coriander. Place the fish on the orange slices.
- Slice the ginger into 0.5cm slices. Lay these on top of the fish.
- Drizzle the sesame oil on top. Add a good pinch of salt.
- Wrap the baking parchment around the fish so that it is fully covered (you can use a second piece of parchment if you need to). Put the fish in the oven for 30 minutes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
More delicious fish recipes:
- Pan Fried Sea Bass with Lentils
- Pan Fried Sea Bass with Olive Linguine
- Salmon and Beetroot Flatbreads
- Pan Fried Salmon with Coconut Noodle Broth
- Soy Glazed Salmon with Miso Noodle Broth
- Thai Fish Curry
- Smoked Fish Chowder
- One Pan Baked Cod and Noodles
I love a whole fish. The ginger and citrus adds so much flavor while keeping this a fresh and light meal. Thanks.
The citrus and the ginger added so much flavor to the tilapia.
I love a great seafood recipe and this looks so tasty! Adding it to my list of must-try recipes.
Woah – I’ve never had whole baked tilapia before but this was a recipe I could not pass up! Such a great fish recipe!
Flavorful and delciious recipe to try with tilapia. Thanks for sharing.