
Dominican Green Coconut Fish with Sweet Potato Tostones and Quick Pickled Cucumber
Fish fillets seasoned in a Dominican-style criollo blend, cooked in a gentle sauce of coconut milk, sweet peppers, cilantro, and lime, served with crispy sweet potato tostones and a quick cucumber and red onion pickle. An original recipe that brings together Dominican coastal flavors in a fresh homemade dish.
Ingredients
- 700 g firm white fish fillets (como dorado, mero or tilapia gruesa)
- 45 ml lime juice (divided)
- 18 g garlic (chopped and divided)
- 2 g dried oregano
- 8 g salt (divided)
- 2 g black pepper (divided)
- 700 g medium sweet potatoes (peladas and sliced gruesas)
- 80 ml vegetable oil (divided, more si es necesario for frying superficialmente)
- 200 g cucumber (en medias lunas finas)
- 120 g red onion (en plumas finas, divided)
- 30 ml white vinegar
- 8 g sugar
- 90 g Dominican sweet peppers (in strips)
- 20 g fresh cilantro (chopped, divided)
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 120 ml water
- 30 g tomato paste
- 10 g fresh ginger (grated)
- 2 g lime zest
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. In a bowl, season the fish fillets with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice, half of the chopped garlic, the oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Let rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- 2
2. Meanwhile, make the quick pickle by mixing the cucumber, half of the red onion, the white vinegar, the sugar, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the remaining lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Toss well and set aside to marinate.
- 3
3. Place the sweet potato slices in a pot with enough water to cover and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until just tender but not falling apart. Drain and let cool for 5 minutes.
- 4
4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil. Add the remaining red onion, sweet peppers, the rest of the garlic, and the ginger. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- 5
5. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Pour in the coconut milk, water, lime zest, half of the remaining cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes until a light sauce forms.
- 6
6. In another wide skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium-high heat. Brown the sweet potato slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side until they form a light crust. Remove them and flatten with a cup or flat spatula to shape them like tostones.
- 7
7. Fry the sweet potato tostones again for 2 to 3 more minutes per side until golden and crisp. Transfer to paper towels and season with a pinch of salt.
- 8
8. Place the seasoned fish fillets into the coconut sauce. Cover the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. If you prefer to finish it in the oven, use an oven-safe skillet and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes.
- 9
9. Taste the sauce and adjust with the remaining lime juice and more salt if needed. Add the rest of the cilantro and cook 30 seconds more.
- 10
10. Serve the fish with plenty of green coconut sauce, alongside the sweet potato tostones, and finish with the quick cucumber and onion pickle on top or on the side.
- 11
11. If you want to reheat it, do so over low heat or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes to keep the fish juicy.
Chef tips
For a more Dominican flavor, use ripe sweet peppers and a fresh firm-fleshed fish. Do not boil the sauce too hard after adding the fish so it does not break apart. The sweet potato tostones turn out best if the slices cool slightly before the second fry.
Substitutions
You can use pre-cooked cassava instead of sweet potato for a different side. Cilantro can be replaced with fresh parsley, and lime with lemon if that is what you have. If you cannot find Dominican sweet peppers, use mini sweet peppers.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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