Filipino Fried Dilis Recipe

Dilis is a type of anchovy common in the Philippines which is usually sun dried then used to make other dishes. The dried fish is used in batters to make fritters and sauces, boiled, added to soups, salads or fried and accompanied by a side dish like rice.

Dilis are a tiny fish, often just a couple of inches long. While its most common form is dried, it can also be eaten fresh. Due to its wide range of preparations, it is eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as an appetizer or merienda. A merienda is a light snack.  

The most popular way to use dilis is to coat them with a sweet and spicy flavoring such as brown sugar and chili powder. They are then fried and served with a condiment like banana ketchup or rice vinegar.

They are used to make ukoy, a popular Filipino shrimp and vegetable fritter and monamon, a salty fermented fish sauce. They are also sold as a paste or packaged dry similar to chips, for snacking.

Origin and Cultural Significance

The origin story of dilis is unclear. It may have come about as a way to preserve the fish long before refrigeration was available to households. It is a staple of Filipino cuisine, going back several decades. Dilis fish is abundant and cheap in the Philippines.

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Filipino Fried Dilis Recipe

Yield: 2 Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Dilis is a type of anchovy common in the Phillipines which is usually sun dried then used to make other dishes.

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Ingredients

• Dried dilis - 2 cups
• Cayenne powder - 1 tsp
• Ground paprika - 1 tsp
• Dark brown sugar - 3 tbsp
• Oil - for frying

Instructions

1. Sprinkle the dilis lightly, with water.
2. Combine the sugar and spices. Set aside.
3. Heat oil to medium.
4. Add the dilis and quickly stir-fry, cooking for a minute (or less) just until the fishes have changed to a darker color or about half-cooked.
5. Sprinkle the sugar and spice mix all over and quickly stir-fry.
6. Cook just until everything is mixed through – 30 seconds to about a minute
7. Place the cooked dilis on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
8. Serve with rice vinegar on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 131Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 0g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.

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