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Fish, Africa and overseas

Asa tibs with rice

Asa tibs is an Ethiopian dish of white fish sauteed in berbere spice with onions, green chili and tomatoes, served over rice. It serves 4, takes 35 minutes, is rated easy, and costs €4.20 per serving. The key to getting it right is drying the fish well and searing it without stirring too much.

Tonight, a quick Ethiopian dish, asa tibs, chunks of white fish sauteed in berbere spice with onions and green chili.

Asa tibs with rice
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.20
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Berbere gives asa tibs that slightly smoky, peppery warmth you won't find in a plain pan fried fish. Deeply golden onions bring sweetness, the green chilies add a fresh crunch, and the tomatoes release just enough juice to soak into the rice. The white fish stays tender and pearly as long as you leave it alone in the pan.

This is the kind of dish that saves a weeknight when you want something different without spending hours cooking. Kids generally go for the rice and the mild fish, and you can adjust the heat at the table to suit everyone. Mon Chou suggests it as an easy way to break out of the usual routine.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • White fish fillets (hake, pollock) 700 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onions 3
  • Green chilies 2
  • Tomatoes 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Lemon 1

Pantry

  • Berbere spice (or paprika and chili powder)often in the pantry 2 tsp
  • White riceoften in the pantry 320 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the fish into large chunks, drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. 10 min

    Pat the fish dry, it browns faster.

  2. Cook the rice in salted water and keep it warm. 11 min

    Leave it covered off the heat, it stays fluffy.

  3. Saute the sliced onions in the oil with the garlic until golden. 8 min

    They should turn deeply golden, that's the base of the flavor.

  4. Add the berbere, the sliced chilies and the tomatoes, then the fish. 8 min

    Don't stir the fish too often, it will break apart.

  5. Let it simmer gently until the fish turns pearly white and serve over the rice. 5 min

    A few drops of lemon juice at the end lift all the flavors.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a firm white fish like hake or pollock, it holds together better than very thin fillets.
  • Slice the onions thin and even so they all turn golden at the same time without burning at the edges.
  • If you don't have berbere, mix sweet paprika with a bit of smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

The variations

  • Swap the white fish for peeled shrimp, they cook even faster in the sauce.
  • For a vegetarian version, use quartered button mushrooms instead of the fish.
  • For kids sensitive to spice, remove the chili seeds or use just one chili instead of two.

What to serve it with

  • Injera or flatbread to scoop with
  • Fresh cucumber and tomato salad
  • Cold black tea or lemonade

Storage

Asa tibs keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water so the fish doesn't dry out. Freezing isn't recommended, the fish texture suffers.

Questions about this dish

Can you make asa tibs ahead of time?

You can cut the fish and slice the vegetables a few hours ahead. Avoid cooking the fish too early, it tastes best seared right before serving.

What exactly is berbere?

It's an Ethiopian spice blend based on chili, paprika and warm spices like ginger or cinnamon. Find it at African grocery stores or online, or substitute a mix of paprika and chili powder.

What fish works if I don't have hake?

Pollock, cod or monkfish all work well since they're firm white fish. Avoid very thin fillets, they tend to flake apart while cooking.

How do I tone down the heat if I'm worried about spice?

Cut the berbere amount in half and remove the seeds from the green chilies before slicing them. You can also serve extra chili on the side so everyone can add their own.

How long does it take to make some asa tibs with rice?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in some asa tibs with rice?

About 510 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does some asa tibs with rice cost?

About €4.20 per serving, or €16.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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