Nope. Never. Sorry.
I have fond memories of how seafood played an important role on my palate. It all begins with fishing.
I was 8. And he was…. well, older of course.
We grew up in our hometown, living side-by-side as neighbors. Our backyard came with the smallest river you can imagine.
Some refer to it asΒ creek, but I’d rather use the termΒ river.
My uncle had a knack for anything and everything fishing. He was so good at it, he’d caught fishes with bare hands. Magic I tell ya.
With a river in our backyard, life was pretty much set. We had fresh fish right at our beck and call. And to top it off, we even had a small area where my mom and aunt would prepare a makeshift fire pit or grill.
Those days, having a grill was definitely unheard of. So, you do what you have to in order to indulge in delicious, moist and freshly baked or grill fish.
There were days where we practically begged my mom to make her famous coconut fish curry. No fancy schmancy makeshift fire pit of sort. Just simmering curry on the stove top with fragrant spices and meaty fish, drenched in coconut spiced curry.
The feeling wasΒ indescribable. Well, until now π
Inspired by my Mom π
Ingredients:
Marinate
- 3 fillets of firm fish — i used tilapia
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/8 tsp turmeric powder
- 8 to 10 curry leaves
- 1/2 tsp garlic paste
- 2 small green chilies, slitted
- 1 medium red onion, grated
- 2 small tomatoes, quartered
- 2 heaping tbsp fish curry powder*
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp tamarind*
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Cube fish fillets to desired size. Marinate with juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/8 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
- In large saucepan, heat coconut oil on medium. Once oil is heated, sprinkle in some mustard seeds. Wait for seeds to sputter a little before adding turmeric powder, curry leaves, garlic paste and green chilies. Cook for a minute.
- Add grated red onion and cook until fragrant and everything comes together as a paste. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Throw in quartered tomatoes, fish curry powder, chili powder, tamarind, salt and black pepper. Fry for a few minutes until oil separates.
- Heat a separate non-stick skillet on medium high, add 1 tbsp coconut oil and fry marinated fish cubes for 2 minutes on each sides until lightly golden.
- Once the paste is nice and golden, add coconut milk and water.
- Add skillet fried fish cubes in the gravy, cover and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes or until oil separates and gravy thickens.
- Serve coconut fish curry hot with a serving of rice and salad!
*Note: You can purchase fish curry powder from any ethnic Indian grocery store. It is not the same as regular “curry powder”. As for tamarind, it usually comes in paste form. If not, fresh tamarind needs to soak in some warm water a few minutes before adding into curries.
I’m off to the farmer’s market to menu plan for the upcoming week. Sounds fun? And hey, long weekend is coming up. Any plans?
Have a great day!
Any fond childhood fishing memories? Care to share? π
Comments on this entry are closed.
A splendid curry! You are making me hungry. Nice clicks and presentation.
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa — thanks my dear, and now, I am hungry too! π
Just beautiful. My husband went fishing in Alaska last summer and he had an amazing trip (and brought home some amazing seafood). I know this curry would make his and my day. Thank you for sharing! Eager to try this.
Monet recently posted..Pistachio Shortbread Brownies
Monet — yay, do try and let me know how it tastes. I hope we get to visit Alaska in the near future!
oh my..this is so mouthwatering especially right now because I am literally counting hours till my lunch break. I have never been fishing but absolutely love any seafood..
Dixya — thank you for the compliment and I hope your lunch was satisfactory π
what an amazing looking dish! Gorgeous photographs and beautiful memories! Made my morning reading so delicious!
Ansh recently posted..Lamb Apricot Stew β Indian Inspired
Ansh — thanks a lot my friend π
mhm, fishcurry…
I like all the flavors involved here, especially the tamarind, giving it a nice tang. I feel like making fish curry tomorrow. =)
I have one fishing memory where I and my cousin walked in the river. Each was standing on one side and we blocked the fish and caught it. It was a rainbow trout. =)
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb recently posted..Comment on Spiced Apple Compote, Muesli Yogurt by cquek
Helene — did you made fish curry the other day? π
Wow, what a great catch! I love childhood memories π
Wow, that looks so good Kiran. My grandparents live in a town where we can find fresh fish. My summer breaks are filled with memories of eating different dishes with fresh seafoods. Awesome picture as always. I am making fish curry (Tamilnadu style Meen Kozhambhu) for dinner tonight and I bake the salmon and add it to the simmering tamarind gravy.
Vijitha recently posted..Kid’s Lunch Box Meal: Sandwich thins with chicken, mayo and yogurt
Vijitha — thanks my dear. Your version of fish curry just made my mouth water π
That is a gorgeous fish curry Kiran and great story!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) recently posted..Apple Cinnamon Overnight Baked French Toast
Alyssa — thank you!
I love this! I just took a fish curry class last weekend and loved it. These flavors, the stories. All so great!
Cassie recently posted..Breakfast Pot Pies with Mushroom & Herb Gravy
Cassie — thanks, dear friend π
Childhood memories are always cherished, gorgeous fish curry Kiran :)!
Anamika — thank you my dear π
That curry is just wow. Great flavours! Childhood fishing memories..hmm..one afternoon I played with some fish swimming in a bucket of water..next thing I know they were staring beady-eyed up at me from my plate. Did not eat fish again for many years :))
Tadka Pasta recently posted..Floored by Flowery Fritters
Tadka Pasta — that is one traumatic experience. I hope you aren’t scarred forever. π
This curry looks amazing. I’m with you…love love love fresh fish! π
Ina gawne recently posted..THE RESTORATION PROJECT IS COMPLETE
Ina — thanks, dear friend π
The talapia looks really fresh and of course the curry looks amazingly delicious too!
mycookinghut recently posted..Potato Tasting Menu at LβAtelier De JoΓ«l Robuchon
Leemei — thank you!
A stunning & very tasty looking fish curry! I love it! π xxx
Sophie recently posted..Vegan breakfast smoothy & some awards!
Sophie — thank you, dear!
What stunning presentations my friend, I have never tried making fish curry before!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..A Premature Happy Holidays!
Uru — make it, puhleaseeeee!
Goodness Kiran this is fabulous. I love this recipe. I’m such a coconut fan so I’m digging this.
Kim Bee recently posted..Hawaiian Pulled Pork to welcome back Slow Cooker Saturdays!
Kim Bee — thank you, dear π
oh this is one of my absolute favorite meals! looks like you’ve perfected it!..and I love where the recipe inspiration comes from π
Simply Life recently posted..Potato Leek Soup & Baguette with Radishes and Mint: Iβm Officially an Adult
Gina — thank you dear π
Love your inspiration π that curry looks amazing! So silky and warm.
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Rustic blueberry tart
Carolyn — thank you my dear π
I didn’t care for fish at all when I was a child, mostly because I didn’t like the tiny slivers of bones I often came across. Now I love fish and find it odd I rarely encounter bones of any kind.. keep forgetting to ask my mum about that.
Your curry looks divine; wonderful flavours!
Gerlinde in Dallas recently posted..Cod, Shrimp & Fennel Chowder
Gerlinde — getting boneless fillets are so easy this days π
Looks delicious kiran. I love it. The first photo of the fish is STUNNING
tania@mykitchenstories.com.au recently posted..Ban Live Exports
Tania — thank you!!!
Oooh! That’s a lovely curry. I could probably make that with some other vegetable π
chinmayie @ love food eat recently posted..Roasted Eggplant & Tomato Salad With Watermelon Seeds.
Chinmayie — Thank you! Try it and let me know π
Wow thats a nice curry, I am glad you used tilapia. I love that fish but to bad we dont have it here in NZ
Raymund recently posted..Beef and Spinach Cannelloni
Raymund — I had to use tilapia, because other fillets were much more expensive π
Fish curry – could there be a more delectable dinner, especially for the fickle weather we’re having in Melbourne right now? I think not.
So wonderful to see this recipe as my Mister and I were just talking about finding a good fish curry write-up. Will be giving this a try for sure.
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice recently posted..Quinoa, Zucchini, Pine Nut and Chick Pea Salad
Yasmeen — thank you so much!! I agree, fickle weather and spicy curry goes along so well!
Let me know how it tastes π
Love your story and what a gorgeous fish curry! My earliest fishing memory is of deep sea fishing with my dad here in San Diego when I was in kindergarten. I caught a couple of fish (with his help, I’m sure!), then we froze them so I could bring them in for “show-and-tell”. Funny…I don’t remember a lot from when I was 5, but I sure do remember that fishing trip π
EA-The Spicy RD recently posted..#figlove : A Tale of Two Figs. Freshβ¦and Preserved.
EA — love your fishing memories!! Thanks for sharing π
Bare hands, eh? Sounds like my pops =) This looks lovely. I too, am a huge fan of seafood and have this bookmarked to make soon!!
The Squishy Monster recently posted..Sweet Potato Cupcakes
TSM — yay, thanks and do let me know how it tastes π
That’s wonderful! I adore fish curries and your mum must be so proud of you being inspired by her curry π
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Princess Coco, Sydney
Lorraine — ooohhh, I hope so too π
A scrumptious curry! Great click of the fish fillets.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Roasted Pumpkin and Brussels Sprouts
Angie — thank you!!
I am a fish mad Bengali, looking at your fish photos my dinner menu just got set, it has to be fish and lo and behold I also have half a fresh coconut languishing in the fridge…:-)
Suchi recently posted..Happy Birthday To Me With A Coffee Cake Inspired by Eric Lanlard’s Masterclass
Suchi — did you make it? π
I love seafood too! But I’m definitely more of a meat kind of person…however, whatever you make sounds so delicious, I’m sure I’d totally adore this curry. π Beautiful photos and styling.
Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake recently posted..Chocolate brownie cookie sandwiches with peanut butter frosting filling
Jenny — thanks a lot for the compliments, my dear π
What a brilliant and inspiring dish! CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE IT. π
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Homemade Sausage Lasagna (with a secret ingredient)
Sommer — thanks!! do try and let me know how it tastes π
I am definitely trying this! Too pretty for words! Hope you had a wonderful weekend
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Alison — thanks dear, do let me know how it tastes π
Hi Kiran,
The fish curry looks amazing! Great minds think alike, I am posting a coconut shrimp curry soon.
Your photographs are beautiful!
Asmita recently posted..Creamy Asparagus Soup
Hi Asmita — I just saw your goan curry recipe. Mind boggling-ly delish π
I love coconut based curries π sounds and looks very aromatic and lovely to eat! I wish I could make curries from scratch! I get a bit overwhelmed and scared of using herbs and spices hehe
Daisy@Nevertoosweet recently posted..Famous Laksa β Laksa King
Daisy — it looks intimidating, but I’m sure you’d get a hang of it. Try it and let me know how it tastes π
I love curry, what a scrumptious dish!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..pumpkin spice blossoms
Laura — thank you, dear friend π
No hard feelings, we can still be friends π Your curry does look very tempting!
Cass @foodmyfriend recently posted..Moorland Cottage β The Best Scones On The Coast
Cass — lol π
Mmmh.. This look delicious! Im a very big fan of fish and curry together. Will definitely try this one.
Nice with your fishing memories. I caught a really ugly fish in Greenland once. Haha.. So sounds like you have more experience!
Laura Nicolaisen recently posted..Fabulous fast food β My new favorite dish: Pad Thai
Laura — thanks for visiting Recipebox and leaving a beautiful comment π
Do try this recipe and let me know how it tastes. You sound like a great fishing person yourself π
coconut, fish and curry- two amazing flavors with one amazing fish. We are lovers of seafood in this house and I know this dish would be a hit!
Jessica — thank you and I hope you get to give it a try soon π
Just came over from Everyday Maven as I liked the sound of your curry (love that she has our latest recipes with our name). Not disappointed – it looks and sounds fab. I can almost smell it here in Edinburgh π
Kellie — Welcome to Recipebox and thanks for the compliments. Truly made my day π
Few things are more comforting to me than coconut curry on a chilly night…wishing this was in my kitchen instead of yours!
Simply Vicky recently posted..Wedding Weekend
Vicky — your comment made my day!! thank you!!!
I CANNOT wait to make this!
Jolene — Enjoy! π
You’ve got everything – great recipe, amazing photography, and food looks super!!!! Each picture is absolutely beautiful Kiran….
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Karaage | Japanese Fried Chicken εζγ
Nami — thank you so much for the compliments, my dear friend π
Your dish looks stunning! I love your story – so precious especially that it comes with a recipe like this.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet recently posted..Chocolate Getaway For Two
Anna — thank you so much for the compliments & beautiful thought π
amazing photography π
dassana recently posted..green peas sundal | navratri recipe
Your fish curry looks absolutely delicious! Fish is one of our favorites, too!
Joanne @ Inspired Taste recently posted..Pepper Steak Slow Cooker Recipe
the.best.fish.curry EVER! Thank you so much for this recipe Rosa. This curry is better then my mother-in-law recipe – pssssst, im not allowed to tell anyone…. but my husband did say it :)!!
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