Nile Perch with Spicy Cashew Pesto
Nile Perch is a “native fish to the Congo, Nile, Senegal, Niger, and Lake Chad, Volta, Lake Turkana and other river basins.” This fish when not caught and allowed to grow, is also one of the largest freshwater fish. I looked it up on the Animal Planet’s website and they state the maximum length as up to 6 ft(1.82 m), and a maximum weight of over 500 lb. or 227 kilos – it’s fishzilla! (The Nile Perch fished for commercial consumption are not this big.) But because of it’s enormous size it is also called a “massive environmental nightmare” because of course something that big needs to feed a lot. This fish is actually quite interesting and if you like to find out more about it I suggest you read the Animal Planet website for more fascinating facts.
Nile Perch is a white fish with semi-firm flesh, that has a mild taste. Due to the mild taste it will absorb well any flavors, spices or sauces used. It also has the highest content of Omega-3 found in fish, and we all know how our bodies need and benefit greatly from Omega-3. If you cannot find Nile Perch for the recipe below try substituting Grouper, Sea Bass, Catfish, or red snapper, per Foodista. In the most recent dietary guidelines released by US goverment they stated that Americans need to eat more fish, so why not start with this recipe. Enjoy!
2 Nile Perch fillets
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 lemon
Olive oil
Cashew Spicy Pesto Ingredients
3 red Thai chilies, or any fresh hot red chiles
1/2 cup or 70 grams of Cashews
1/4 cup or 20 grams grated Parmesan cheese
3 garlic cloves , minced
2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 tbsp. water
1. Preheat the oven to 390f or 200c and line a baking sheet with either aluminum or baking paper and rub with a little olive oil. Pat dry the fish fillets with a paper towel on both sides. Then rub a little olive oil and squeeze some lemon juice on each fillet on both sides. Then sprinkle both fillets with salt and pepper on each side and set on top of baking sheet.
2. Next we will prepare the Cashew pesto, you will need a blender or food processor for this step. Cut the stem off the chili and roughly chop then place inside the blender. Next add the remaining ingredients to the blender container and process until you have a thick and smooth paste.
3. Spread some spicy pesto sauce on top of each fillet and bake for 15 minutes. The fillets should be flaky and cooked through. Decorate with a few slices of fresh chilies and cashews. If you like you may serve the fish with some extra pesto sauce on the side as well as fresh lemon slices. This fish goes great with steamed white rice.
This is just so beautiful! Love the recipe, because my family eat fish at least three times a week..my favorite Salmon and Trout fish!
this pesto looks and sounds fantastic! I Will try this for sure! btw I watch and love Jeremy Wade's River Monsters on animal planet!
Wow, that is one big fish! My goodness. The spicy cashew pesto sounds right up my alley.
That is one heck of a huge fish! I like your spicy cashew pesto and would love it on fish or veggies. Hope you're having a good week Nancy;-)
the fish is ginormous OMG
i love perch but never seen one so big. it looks like a catfish.
i love your pesto version, just a little hot ;)
thanks for sharing Nancy, hope you're having a wonderful evening
p.s. no, i was not upset :)
wow, i am loving this cashew pesto. it's wonderful. i can't eat the fish, but i can use this pesto on some veg protein! thanks for sharing. you always post such great, and original ideas.
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!
The pesto is so simple, and looks delicious.
That pesto looks amazing – what a great meal!
Looks fantastic…love the fish and the spicy pesto…Blessings, CAtherine
It's Jeremy! I love that guy (smile). Ooh, and that is a big fish. Yikes! You make it look delicious though, Nancy. I love the idea of a cashew pest too-that sounds so wonderful:) I'm totally going to try that…Yes.
p.s. I love animal planet. I'm more addicted to it than the food network lately.
Your pesto really caught my attention. I can think of so many uses for it. We don't get perch here but I think it would be very nice on mahi mahi.
Beautiful photography again nancy :)
Nancy the combination looks delicious
What a beautiful dish, that pesto looks awesome. Perhaps if we all make this recipe we can combat the Nile perch problem? :D
Gorgeous fish! what a catch!
Nancy, what a creative pesto recipe. The fish looks absolutely delicious.
Anna's Table
I love the dish and the pesto too, only small detail I'm allergic to most of the sea food….what can you do:(
Photos are beautiful:)
First off…a fish as long as I am tall (thank goodness I don't weigh that much), wow! I love the info here and I so have to try this pesto…the entire dish is just delightful and so full of flavor. Gorgeous!
Ok seriously, that nile perch is huge and disgusting! I am so queasy when it comes to things with scales. You know what I'm even queasier about? Animals that have fingers. Those totally freak me out.
Anyways! This dish looks awesome, even if the beginning product is a big scary looking thing ;]
Thanks for teaching me something about Nile Perch. I cannot get over how huge that fish is in the pic. Love the crispy crust in your beautiful photo but the cashew pesto really got my attention. Great flavors.
Wow, that's a monster fish! And its higher than salmon in Omega-3, good to know. Looks delicious topped with the colorful spicy cashew pesto.
I love that cashew pesto :) really great recipe
Wow, what a brilliant pesto color! And the fish looks so succulent and juicy. Delicious! :-p
I love this pesto….color and spice….super yum.
Holy smokes, I think that is the biggest fish I've ever seen. I don't think I can find it in my area, but I'd make that pesto for sure. Try it on another variety. I actually made some snapper tonight with arugula pesto and it would of been great with that cashew pesto. Hope you are having a great week Nancy!
-Gina-
The cashew pesto sounds wonderful!
This cashew spicy pesto sounds really wonderful, very unique:) I love spicy food, and I love cashews, a perfect mix! I have never heard of Nile Perch, thank you for sharing so much about it:)
Take care,
Terra
http://www.cafeterrablog.com
Wow, I can't get over the size of that fish…
Seriously, though, the cashew pesto sounds fabulous and a perfect match for the fish.
Love the pesto! But that fish is HUGE…