4-Spice Basa Fillets Recipe | Low Carb, Easy Dinner

Done in under 30 minutes, this 4-spice Basa Fillets recipe makes a weeknight meal perfect. Crispy on the outside, with an inner flesh – that melts in your mouth.  Simple, yet uncompromising on flavour, this blend of spices  works well with other types of fish and seafood. The tried-and-true ones from my kitchen are salmon, cod, haddock and shrimp. Mouthwatering masala Basa Fish Fillet recipe…just close your eyes and savour it. 

This past year, I’ve become mindful of our seafood choices. As a family, we’re trying to eat fish that’s sustainably sourced. I’ve realized, that we must do our bit – to help keep our oceans healthy and full of life. And that means, looking out for certified sustainable seafood products.

That’s exactly the reason, I decided to recook this recipe (which happens to be the most popular recipe on the blog), using fish that’s responsibly sourced, from The Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC).

Is Basa High In Mercury?

All fish have trace amounts of mercury, with some varieties having higher amounts than others. In fact, mercury is found naturally (in small quantities) in air, water and living things. There’s been considerable hype (and confusion!) about mercury in seafood, and whether it’s safe to eat. According to Health Canada, and this research article, the following fish should be on your radar – only to be consumed occasionally, due to their higher levels of mercury:

• Shark
• Swordfish
• Fresh and frozen tuna (smaller tunas such as skipjack, which is used for canned light tuna, have much less mercury)
• Escolar
• Marlin
• Orange roughy
• Certain groups (little ones and women who are or trying to become pregnant or are pregnant) should limit their consumption of canned albacore (white) tuna.

The good news is, there are no recommended restrictions for other types of retail fish.

No, basa fish is not high in mercury!

How To Make Basa Fillets Recipe – Step By Step

1. Start by drying the basa fish fillets with a paper towel (Image 1).

2. Combine spices and salt, and sprinkle spice mix to coat the fillets (Image 2). Use your hands, and ensure both sides are coated completely (Image 3).

3. In a large skillet or pan, heat oil over medium/high heat (Image 4). Do not add the fish, until the oil is hot.

4. Place the spice-coated basa fillets in the skillet, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or when cooked through (Image 5)

5. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if you prefer (Image 6).

Top Tips For Making This Basa Fillets Recipe

• People worry about fish sticking to the pan. One way to prevent this is make sure the basa fillets are as dry as can be.
• Make sure the oil evenly coats the pan – before you add the fish.
• The heat should be medium to high. Do not add the fish until the oil simmers slightly. It should be slightly smoky.
• Avoid fiddling with the fillet once it’s in the pan – otherwise, you risk breaking it apart. Let it sit, and once it’s ready and nice and brown, it should release from the pan.
• Use a very thin spatula. Some argue, that a special fish spatula, made of metal is the best. I haven’t tried that.
• Use lemon juice to help reduce the salt further.

What to eat this with?

Marry it with a delicious colourful salad and sweet potato and voila; you have an enticing and satisfying meal. Today, I made fish wraps for the kids’ lunch. Creamy avocado chutney slathered on a flax and hemp paratha  (Indian flat bread), with half a fillet of basa fish…it was a knockout!

More Easy Sides Recipes To Accompany This With:

• Quinoa Lentil Stuffed Zucchini Boats
• Gluten Free Quinoa Vegetable Pilau
• Mint Pea Soup
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Sweet Potatoes
• Mixed Grilled Vegetables

I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favourite way to eat fish? Have you tried my 4-Spice Basa Fillets Recipe? Comment below!

If you try this recipe, would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate it, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook and twitter!  Can’t wait to see your photos.

4-Spice Basa Fish Fillet

4.25 from 4 votes

Print Recipe

Simple, yet uncompromising on flavour, this blend of spices  works well with other types of fish and seafood. The tried-and-true ones from my kitchen are salmon, cod, haddock and shrimp. Mouthwatering masala Basa Fish Fillet recipe...just close your eyes and savour it. 

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Main

Servings: 10 people

Author: Shahzadi Devje

Ingredients

• 5 basa fish fillets large
• 2 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon juice

Instructions

• Dry fish fillets with a paper towel
• Combine spices and salt and sprinkle spice mix to coat the fillets. Ensure both sides are coated completely
• In a large skillet or pan, heat oil over medium/high heat
• Place the coated fillets in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or when cooked through
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Notes

• People worry about fish sticking to the pan. One way to prevent this is make sure the basa fillets are as dry as can be.
• Make sure the oil evenly coats the pan - before you add the fish.
• The heat should be medium to high. Do not add the fish until the oil simmers slightly. It should be slightly smoky.
• Avoid fiddling with the fillet once it's in the pan - otherwise, you risk breaking it apart. Let it sit, and once it's ready and nice and brown, it should release from the pan.
• Use a very thin spatula. Some argue, that a special fish spatula, made of metal is the best. I haven't tried that.
• Use lemon juice to help reduce the salt further.

Nutrition Facts

4-Spice Basa Fish Fillet

Amount Per Serving

Calories 310 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 32mg11%

Sodium 435mg18%

Potassium 24mg1%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 0.3g1%

Sugar 0.1g0%

Protein 40g80%

Vitamin A 150IU3%

Vitamin C 5.8mg7%

Calcium 40mg4%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.