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Barramundi fish stew with rice

Njansa is a spice native to tropical Africa, used in West and Central African cuisine, particularly in countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. The spice comes from the seeds of a tree scientifically named Ricinodendron heudelotii. The njansa tree produces a fruit that, when ripe, splits open to reveal an inner seed. This seed is typically dried in the sun and can be used whole, crushed, or ground as a flavouring in a variety of dishes. Jansa seeds have a flavour profile that can be described as a mix of nutty, spicy, and bitter. They are often used in soups, stews, and sauces to add a unique depth of flavour. They're also sometimes combined with other spices to create unique blends for various recipes.

Fish stew with rice (barramundi)

Credit: Jiwon Kim

  • serves

    4

  • prep

    5 minutes

  • cook

    25 minutes

  • difficulty

    Easy

serves

4

people

preparation

5

minutes

cooking

25

minutes

difficulty

Easy

level

Stream free On Demand

Thumbnail of Fast Fresh Fish

Fast Fresh Fish

episode The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 
cooking • 
25m
G
episode The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 
cooking • 
25m
G

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 barramundi fillets, skin-on (180 g – 200 g each)
  • Cooked long grain rice, to serve
For the base
  • 3 red capsicums, roughly chopped
  • 1 green capsicum, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped
  • 1 large brown onion, roughly chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 cm x 3 cm piece ginger, thickly sliced
  • 5 njansa (Cameroonian spice)
  • 1 habanero chilli, plus extra slices, to serve
  • 3 spring onions, roughly chopped
  • ¼ tsp each salt and black pepper
  • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus extra to serve

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan, then add the fish, skin-side down. Cook until the skin is crisp, then turn and cook until the flesh is opaque, then transfer the fish fillets to a plate.
  2. While the fish is cooking, in the bowl of a food processor, combine the ingredients for the base and blitz until smooth. Add a little water, if needed. Pour the ingredients for the base into the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Season to taste. Return the fish to the pan and turn to coat.
  3. Serve the fish stew with rice. Sprinkle with the parsley leaves and thinly sliced habanero.

Photography by Jiwon Kim.

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Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

Stream free On Demand

Thumbnail of Fast Fresh Fish

Fast Fresh Fish

episode The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 
cooking • 
25m
G
episode The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 
cooking • 
25m
G

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Published 28 May 2024 9:24am
By Ashley Vola
Source: SBS



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