Tilapia in Tamarind Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 pound tilapia fillets
• 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1 (1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or to taste

Directions

Rinse tilapia fillets and dry with paper towels. Dissolve tamarind paste in hot water in a bowl; stir ginger, garlic, salt, black pepper, coriander, turmeric, and cumin into tamarind mixture to make a paste. Rub paste over fish and let stand 15 minutes to absorb flavors (or longer in refrigerator if desired).

Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook fish with tamarind paste in the hot oil until the flesh is opaque and flaky, about 4 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the second side. Drizzle with lemon juice.