Last updated on May 20th, 2024 at 09:51 am
Sarciadong isda is a pan-fried fish in garlic, onion and tomato sauce. Make this dish on a busy weeknight as it comes together in under 30 minutes or on a relaxed weekend. Serve with steamed rice for a Filipino dining experience.
Sarciadong isda is a combination of two dishes. Sarciado is cooked in sauce typically tomato sauce and fried fish, more commonly used is leftover fish. We could say sarciadong isda is a Filipino fish recipe where fish is simmered in garlic, onion and tomato sauce. It is a good way to use up leftover fish or use freshly fried fish. Either way is great to enjoy fried fish with garlicky, oniony, tomato sauce.
This is a family recipe my mother has shown me and has learnt and still remembers by heart. The only thing I have changed is the addition of fish sauce to add more fish flavour to the dish. This dish typically appeared after having fried fish the day before. To make a new dish out of one dish brings excitement now more than when I was still living at home. Whenever I make this it brings nice memories from childhood. What dishes remind you of your childhood?
Ingredients
Fish – This recipe uses pan-fried seabass fillets but use any fish that is available on hand. In the Philippines, milkfish, tilapia, mackerel are commonly used in households but outside of the country we have used, haddock, halibut or even hake.
Oil – Use any neutral oil.
Garlic – Chopped or sliced
Onion – Sliced or diced. Use shallots if available to give more of a Filipino flavor but onion will be fine if shallots are not available
Tomato – Any tomatoes work, fresh or tinned but opt for fresh ones if possible.
Salt and pepper – Add to taste.
Fish Sauce – Substitute with soy sauce for umami flavor.
Water or stock – Add a splash of water or fish or chicken stock if the tomatoes your using are not watery to make a sauce. Chicken stock could be used it sounds weird but it also works.
How to cook Sarciadong Isda
The recipe like most Filipino dishes is straightforward. Fry the fish if not using leftover fried fish, saute the garlic, onion and tomatoes, add some liquid like water or stock to make the sauce, add the fish in, season and that is it.
1. If using fresh fish, heat oil in a pan and fry the fish until brown and crispy. Take the fish out of the pan and drain the excess oil.
2. If using leftover fish, bring it to room temperature before cooking and go straight to step 3.
3. Turn the heat to medium-high and heat oil in a pan.
4. Saute the garlic until golden brown stirring frequently to prevent burning.
5. Add the onion and cook until translucent. This will take around 3 minutes.
6. Add the tomatoes. Stir and mash with the back of the spoon to help the tomatoes break down into a sauce consistency as it cooks. Bring to a simmer.
7. Put the fish in the pan and bring to a simmer.
8. Season with salt and pepper and fish sauce to taste.
9. Turn the heat off and serve with steamed rice.
What fish to use for sarciadong isda?
To make this dish I used seabass fillet to make cooking time shorter. Of course, use fresh and any type of firm white fish but the cooking time if cooking from fresh would be a little longer than indicated in the recipe.
Sarciadong isda with egg
Some recipes call for eggs to thicken the sauce but this recipe only uses tomato sauce. As this is a family recipe as I remember it, it is what I follow and have grown to like. If however, you want to try this with eggs, add beaten eggs a few minutes before turning the heat off to achieve a thicker sauce. Or stir fry the tomatoes and eggs, add water and add in the fried fish then simmer.
Sarciadong isda without egg
This recipe is a recipe for sarciadong isda. The sauce will thicken if left to cool. Use cornstarch slurry if a thicker sauce is preferred.
Storage
How to cook sarciadong isda? Let it cool completely. Transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep in the refrigerator. Consume within a few days after refrigeration. Reheat properly before serving.
Looking for inspiration or want to try more homecooked meals?
Why not try more fish and seafood recipes like Pesang Isda, Paksiw na Isda or Crispy Battered Fish for a quick and easy weeknight family meal?
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Let’s get cooking!
SARCIADONG ISDA
Equipment
- 1 saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 fish fillet leftover, fried
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion diced/chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- water or stock as needed
Instructions
- Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high. Cook garlic, stirring often to prevent from burning, until golden, about 2 minutes.
- Add onion, and cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes; Stir and mash with the back of the spoon to help the tomatoes break down into a sauce consistency as it cooks. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the fish and bring to a simmer. Add a splash of water. Bring to a simmer until saucy, about 5 minutes. Then season with salt and pepper and fish sauce to taste. Turn the heat off and serve.
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