Mukeke (Burundian Whole Fish in Tomato and Onion Sauce)
In short: Whole fish seasoned with lemon and steamed over a soft tomato and onion sauce until tender. A fish dish of Burundi's lakeside towns. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 270 kcal
Mukeke is a fish from Lake Tanganyika, and in Bujumbura and the lakeside towns the name is used for fish cooked whole, grilled, fried or steamed over a sauce. This version steams the fish on top of a bed of cooked tomato and onion, so the juices mingle and the flesh stays soft. Serve it with rice and spicy beans or with fried plantain, with a pili-pili chili sauce on the side.
Instructions
- Cut 3 shallow slashes in each side of the fish. Rub with the lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of the salt and leave for 15 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan with a lid over medium heat. Cook the onions for 6 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes, chili and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and cook for 8 minutes, mashing, until they make a soft sauce. Add the water.
- Lay the fish on top of the sauce and spoon some sauce over it. Cover tightly and cook over medium-low heat for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Turn the fish once halfway through. It is ready when the flesh at the thickest part reaches 63°C (145°F) and flakes easily.
- Scatter with parsley, remove the chili and serve straight from the pan.
Tips
- A wide pan that holds the fish side by side is essential. If your pan is small, cook one fish at a time or cut the fish into steaks.
- Mackerel, trout, sea bass or tilapia all work. Fatty fish such as mackerel needs less oil in the sauce.
Questions and answers
What fish is mukeke?
Mukeke is the local name of a Lake Tanganyika fish, and the word is also used for fish cooked in this style. Tilapia or mackerel make good substitutes.
What do you serve with mukeke?
White rice and spicy beans are common, as are fried plantains, french fries or a stiff porridge.
Can I use fillets?
Yes. Use 4 fillets of 150 g and cook them in the sauce for 6 to 8 minutes.
How long does it take to make Mukeke (Burundian Whole Fish in Tomato and Onion Sauce)?
About 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mukeke (Burundian Whole Fish in Tomato and Onion Sauce)?
About 270 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 9 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 270 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 560 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
