Go Back
+ servings
Fish curry in the mud pot that it was cooked in
Print

Spicy Fish Curry with Coconut and Tamarind

An easy everyday Fish Curry with coconut and tamarind. This ones spicy, tangy, sour and bursting with flavour.
Course Main Course
Cuisine South Indian
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 Portions
Calories 381kcal
Author Richa

Ingredients

Grind to a Paste

  • ¾ cup freshly grated Coconut see note 1
  • 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
  • 2 medium Onions sliced
  • 8 Kashmiri Red Chilies whole
  • 1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
  • 1 Teaspoon Coriander Seeds
  • 6 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 Teaspoon whole Peppercorns
  • 1 Sprig Curry Leaves
  • 1 Tamarind marble sized Ball
  • 1 large Tomato cut into chunks
  • ½ cup Water

For the Curry

  • 600 Grams Seer Fish Surmai/Anjal/Kingfish
  • 1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt
  • ½ Tablespoon Red Chilli Powder

For the Tempering

  • 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
  • 6-8 Cloves Garlic with the skin on, smashed
  • 1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
  • 1 sprig Curry Leaves

Instructions

  • Clean and wash the fish slices and rub turmeric all over them. Cover and keep aside. Marinate for 15 minutes.

Grind to a Paste

  • Dry roast grated coconut in a frying pan over medium heat. Roast for 2-4 minutes or until the edges start to brown.
  • Push the roasted coconut to one side of the pan. Add coconut oil on the other side and allow to heat for 10-15 seconds. Add onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Stir and mix well.
  • Add dry red chillies and roast for another minute while stirring occasionally. Remove the mix from the pan and set aside to cool.
  • In the same pan, dry roast mustard seeds, coriander seeds, garlic cloves and black peppercorn for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant. Add tamarind to the pan, saute for 30 secs and remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • Add both the roast mixes to a food processor or blender along with chopped tomatoes and water. Blend to a smooth thick paste.

For the Curry

  • Heat coconut oil in a large pan or kadhai over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground paste and mix. Add salt, red chilli powder and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Slide the fish into the pan and mix gently so as not to break the fish. Simmer over medium heat for 10-12 minutes.
  • Remove from flame. Prepare tempering, add it to the curry, mix and serve hot along with some white rice.

For the Tempering

  • Heat coconut oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add garlic and fry for 1-2 minutes or until the edges start to brown.
  • Add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Allow the mustard seeds to splutter. Remove from flame and add it to the curry. Mix and serve hot.

Video

Notes

  1. Use freshly grated coconut as far as possible. If using frozen, look for freshly grated frozen coconut. This is different from dessicated coconut which won't work here
  2. Don't reduce the amount of garlic - that's where the flavour is
  3. Grind the masala to a really smooth paste. Start with a little water and then add more if required
  4. The consistency of the gravy should be thicker than milk - more like coconut milk
  5. You know the gravy is ready when you see bits of oil floating on top
  6. Oil: My choice of oil for this recipe is coconut oil, but a good replacement is ghee
  7. Fish: Choose any firm white fish. Seer, mackerel, pomfret, red snapper, cod, sea bass will all work well here
  8. Other proteins: Prawns, squid and even chicken work well with this gravy so throw in whatever you like. The cooking times for these will differ based on which protein you are using

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 1169mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1293IU | Vitamin C: 140mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3mg