Here’s a simple yet flavorful recipe for Spicy Lemon Fish Soup that combines the heat of chilies with the tangy freshness of lemon. This soup is light but packed with flavor, making it a great dish for any occasion.
Spicy Lemon Fish Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) white fish fillets (such as tilapia, cod, or snapper), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups fish stock or water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 fresh red chilies (adjust to taste), sliced
- 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce if you prefer)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or lime juice)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach or cilantro leaves, for garnish
- 1-2 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1-2 bay leaves (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 tablespoon chili paste or sambal oelek (optional, for extra spice)
Instructions:
- Prepare the fish: Cut the fish fillets into bite-sized pieces and set them aside. If using a whole fish, you can also use the bones to make a homemade fish stock for deeper flavor.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, ginger, and sliced red chilies, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer the soup base: Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they begin to break down and soften, about 5 minutes. Pour in the fish stock or water, and stir in the fish sauce, lemon juice, rice vinegar (if using), sugar (if using), and any herbs like thyme or bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the fish: Once the broth is simmering, gently add the fish pieces to the pot. Allow the soup to cook for 5-7 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook the fish.
- Season and adjust flavors: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed with more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or chili paste for added spice.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh spinach or cilantro leaves. You can also add an extra squeeze of lemon or lime for brightness.
Tips:
- For a richer broth, you can use a mix of water and coconut milk.
- To add more depth, you can throw in a stalk of lemongrass or a kaffir lime leaf during the simmering process (remove before serving).
- You can adjust the heat level by adding more or fewer chilies, or even using a milder chili paste like Sriracha.
This soup is perfect served with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth! Enjoy your spicy, tangy, and aromatic fish soup.