Recipe courtesy of Cathy Tshilombo

Smoked Tilapia with Pili Pili

Getting reviews...
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Total: 1 hr 20 min
  • Prep: 25 min
  • Cook: 55 min
  • Yield: 1 serving
Share This Recipe

Ingredients

Tilapia:

Pili-Pili:

Directions

  1. For the tilapia: Combine the tarragon, garlic, scallions, onions and some bay leaves, parsley, rosemary and thyme in a blender. Add the oil, lemon juice, Pili-Pili and salt and blend until it forms a paste, about 2 minutes. Put the fish in a deep dish and spread on the marinade, rubbing it all over. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days, turning the fish about every 6 hours. Start a nice charcoal fire in your smoker to cook over indirect heat. Sprinkle some bay leaves, lemon pepper, rosemary and thyme over the fire. When the charcoal is red, add the soaked wood chips and get it smoking. Careful as the smoke will make you all cough. 
  2. Place the fish in the smoker and cook, checking the fish every 15 minutes until cooked through, about 45 minutes. Transfer the fish to plates and serve with Pili-Pili sauce and fried plantains. Bon appetit! 

Pili-Pili:

  1. Combine the vinegar, salt, chiles, garlic, scallions, tomatoes and 1 tablespoon water in a blender and puree until smooth, about 3 minutes. Heat the oil in a pot, add the puree, and cook for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a jar or bowl. 
  2. You can eat it on anything, pizza, eggs, burgers, fish, meat, chicken, cassava, soup, spaghetti, tacos and more. It can also be used as a condiment, as a dip or a marinade.

Cook’s Note

Never breathe the aroma of the Pili-Pili when cooking; cook it outside for safety.

Fudge Factor

Sifted: Plan-Ahead Valentine's Day Desserts Feb 6, 2013

By: Lauren Miyashiro

Get our take on the best in food news, recipes and more from around the web, including the best Valentine's Day recipes.

Over-the-Top-Delicious Treats to Satisfy Your Food Obsession

Are you infatuated with ice cream? Do you lust over lobster? Swoon at the sight of chocolate? Here's the best recipe for each food …

Train Frontman Pat Monahan's Dark Chocolate Obsession Feb 11, 2013

By: Cameron Curtis

Train frontman Pat Monahan, an avid chocolate lover, shared with us his top five reasons for eating dark chocolate.

The Craziest Chocolate Creations for American Chocolate Week Mar 17, 2013

It’s officially American Chocolate Week. Check out photos of mind-blowing chocolate creations.

Review: Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert's Chocolate Bar Nov 16, 2012

Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert have teamed up with master chocolatier Christopher Curtin to create the "Good & Evil" chocolate b …

Chocolate Desserts

Indulge in our decadent chocolate desserts, from cookies and cakes to puddings, souffles and truffles.

How to Chop and Melt Chocolate

Lots of recipes call for melted chocolate. Follow these step-by-step instructions to do it properly.

Essentials: Chocolate Basics Sep 1, 2016

Satisfy that chocolate craving in your very own kitchen. All you need is baking chocolate and a little know-how. It also helps to …