It’s an impressive recipe for what Westerners call curry, a term that means nothing in India except perhaps a reminder of its association with the British Empire, something they don’t hold in high regard.
Anyway, let’s leave that aside and focus on the recipe for this spectacular and simple dish, a staple of Indian cuisine.
For 4 People, We Need:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Filleted fish (sea bream in this case) | 1 kg |
| Stock made with fish bones and 500 ml water (final volume 250 ml) | as above |
| Peeled and quartered tomatoes | 5 |
| Julienned onions | 4 |
| Grated ginger | 1 piece |
| Grated garlic cloves | 4 |
| Garam masala | 2 tablespoons |
| Sweet paprika | 1 teaspoon |
| Hot paprika | ½ teaspoon |
| Curry leaves | to taste |
| Lime zest (of one lime) and juice (of half) | as above |
| Cinnamon | 1 tablespoon |
| Turmeric | 1 tablespoon |
| Cumin seeds | 1 tablespoon |
| Mustard seeds | 1 teaspoon |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 4 tablespoons |
| Fresh cilantro | to taste |
Okay, let’s get started.
- Heat the oil and add the onion with a little salt so that it sweats over low heat, along with the mustard seeds.
- After 4 minutes, add the grated garlic and ginger and let it simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
- At that point, add the Garam Masala (which you can find in Asian supermarkets, or make at home with a coffee grinder as I do) and the curry leaves.
- Next, add the tomato, sweet and hot paprika, along with the turmeric. Add a tablespoon of water to prevent the ground spices from burning.
- After a couple of minutes, add the cumin seeds, cinnamon, and chopped cilantro. Cover and let it simmer for a couple more minutes, then add the fish stock.
- After 5 minutes we add our seasoned fish, the lime zest and cover for about 5 minutes.
- Before serving, add a squeeze of lime and more cilantro. It’s heavenly.
Nutritional Facts for Homemade Fish Curry
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 bowl |
| Calories | 340 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Total Fat | 20 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g |
| Cholesterol | 75 mg |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
| Potassium | 680 mg |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugars | 5 g |
| Vitamin A | 420 IU |
| Vitamin C | 14 mg |
| Calcium | 70 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the type of fish, coconut milk, spices, and cooking method used. Homemade fish curry is a flavorful dish rich in protein, healthy fats, and aromatic spices.