Kenyan Fried Fish (Samaki wa Kukaanga)

Kenyan Fried Fish (Samaki wa Kukaanga)

This easy and tasty recipe of fried fish is not only famous in Kenya but is eaten almost in every East African countries. In Kenya you can find this fried fish in almost all road side fast food stalls. I got to know about this recipe from my sister whose husband was posted in Kenya for five long years. I find it so easy that almost every time I come across any white fish fillets I end up frying Samaki wa Kukaanga. You can try preparing it on any week nights even after a long and busy day because it hardly requires long marination time and almost no cooking time. Traditionally it is eaten with Rice and Greens. You can serve it with a bowl of hearty salad.

Preparation Time :  30 - 40 minutes (Including marination time)

Cooking Time     :   15 - 20 minutes

Difficulty             :    Very Easy

Serves                :    4 - 6

Ingredients :

Fish Fillets                 :   1 Kg (cut into serving portions) You can also use whole Telapias

Lemon or Lime Juice :   1/4 cup

Garlic                        :    4 -6 finely minced

Red Chili Powder      :   1/4 - 1/2 tsp

Salt                           :    To taste

Oil for frying

Samaki wa Kukaanga

Method  :

1. Clean and wash the fish fillets well. Then marinate them in lemon or lime juice with little salt for 30 minutes.
2. After marination period take them out of lime juice and dab properly in paper towel to soak excess liquid.
3. Add salt and red chili powder and mix it well with the fillets.
4. Heat a wok over high flame and add oil for frying.
5. Once the oil is substantially hot and ready for frying reduce he flame to low 
6. Add a few fillets at a time. Remember not to overcrowd the wok.
7. After a couple of minutes increase he heat to medium and turn the fillets.
8. Fry them well turning in between till they are brown on both sides.
9. Take them out with a skimmer on kitchen towel to soak excess oil.
10. Serve hot with a bowl of salad.