Entree: Democratic Republic of the Congo – Northern Culinary Region – Liboké de Poisson (Fish wrapped in leaves and steamed with aromatic vegetables and palm oil)

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 25 min

Cook 35 min

Additional 20 min

Total 1 hr

Ingredients

4 whole tilapia or similar freshwater fish, cleaned and scored, approx. 10 oz (280 g) each (estimate: Tilapia selected from the stated options. The stated weight is gross whole-fish weight; edible mass is estimated at 45% of gross weight.)
5 g salt
1.5 g black pepper, freshly ground
45 ml red palm oil
280 g onion, thinly sliced
280 g tomato, diced
170 g red bell pepper, thinly sliced
6 g garlic, minced
15 g fresh ginger, grated
2 small habanero peppers, finely chopped (about 20 g)
150 g fresh okra, sliced (optional; included in estimate)
30 ml lime juice
2 sprigs fresh parsley or 1/4 cup (15 g) chopped cilantro (estimate: Parsley selected from the stated options; approximate mass for two sprigs.)
4 banana leaves, enough to wrap 4 parcels
Kitchen twine, as needed to tie 4 parcels
Salt, to taste (additional to the stated 5 g)

Instructions

1. Season the cleaned tilapia inside the cavities and over the scored surfaces with 5 g salt and the black pepper. Rub with 15 ml of the red palm oil and 15 ml of the lime juice. Marinate for 15–20 minutes.
2. Combine the onion, tomato, red bell pepper, garlic, ginger, habanero, okra if using, chopped parsley, remaining 30 ml red palm oil, and salt to taste.
3. If needed, briefly warm the banana leaves over a flame or in hot water until pliable. Place one fish on each leaf and distribute the vegetable mixture over and inside the fish. Fold each leaf into a parcel and secure with kitchen twine.
4. Place the parcels in a steamer or in a deep pot on a rack above water. Cover and steam gently for 25–35 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
5. Carefully remove and open the parcels to serve.