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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
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Kenya Fried Tilapia Fish Stew Recipe | The African Gourmet

Kenya Fried Tilapia Fish Stew Recipe

Kenyan fried tilapia fish stew is one of the most loved home-cooked meals across Kenya, especially when paired with rice or Ugali. The secret is frying fresh fish without a cornmeal coating, letting the natural flavor shine through.

Kenya fried tilapia fish with rice and vegetables

Ingredients

For the Fried Tilapia

  • 1 whole fresh tilapia, filleted
  • 2 cups vegetable cooking oil
  • 1½ teaspoon sea salt

For the Sauce and Rice

  • 2 onions, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 diced carrots
  • 2 diced tomatoes
  • ½ head shredded cabbage
  • 2 cups diced fresh pumpkin
  • 1 cup diced cassava
  • 6 diced African garden eggs (eggplants)
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 1 chopped hot chili
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 handful chopped parsley
  • 3 cups uncooked rice
  • 6 cups fish or vegetable stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a frying pan. Salt the fish and fry on both sides until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
  2. In a large pot, sauté onions and tomato paste for 2 minutes. Add stock and vegetables. Season to taste.
  3. Stir in rice, cover, and simmer for 30–35 minutes. Place fried fish on top during the final 10 minutes.
  4. Serve hot with rice or traditional Ugali.
Family in Kenya cooking Ugali

Family in Kenya cooking Ugali

Ugali Recipe

Ugali (pronounced oo-gahl-ee) is a simple dish made from cornmeal cooked into a soft, firm dough. Known as pap in South Africa, sadza in Zimbabwe, and nsima in Malawi, Ugali brings Africa together through shared taste and tradition.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups finely ground cornmeal
  • 8 cups water

Directions

  1. Boil water in a saucepan.
  2. Gradually pour in cornmeal, stirring constantly.
  3. Cook until thick and dough-like in texture.
  4. Serve warm with vegetables, stew, or fish.
See also: Explore the Ugali vs Sadza vs Nshima guide to learn how African staples connect across the continent, and find more African soups & stews to serve with fish.

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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

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Ivy, founder and author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the founder and lead writer of The African Gourmet. For over 19 years, she has been dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the rich culinary heritage and food stories from across the African continent.

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60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
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To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

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