Kerala fish curry. a South Indian classic seafood curry to savour, enjoy and experience a piece of coastal cuisine in India.
Fresh fish cooked in coconut milk, spices and a mild tang from garcinia or tamarind gives this Indian fish curry authentic flavours you’ll fall in love with.
This easy-to-follow fish recipe will result in a fish curry with warm flavours you can serve at cosy family meals.
Why we love this Kerala fish curry.
- This fish curry with authentic flavours can be served with any rice and curry menu.
- The fresh fish and ingredients are nutritious and healthy.
- Fish is a lean protein.
- Spices like ginger, turmeric, and garlic are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory.
- The fish curry can be served with any rice and curry menu.
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Tips on cooking coconut fish curry from Kerala.
- Use fresh ingredients, when possible use fresh fish instead of frozen fish, organic spices and liquid coconut milk instead of powdered coconut milk for the most authentic flavours.
- Make sure to spend time tempering(sauteing)the onions and other spices before you move on to making the coconut milk fish gravy.
- Balance the flavours as you cook the fish curry. taste the curry often and adjust the tang, spiciness, and seasoning to your needs.
- Simmer the coconut milk gravy gently and avoid boiling the gravy over high heat. this would stop the coconut milk from splitting.
Gently simmering the coconut milk gravy will result in a creamy, thick gravy. - Personalize the Kerala fish curry-you can add extra red chilli powder, curry powder, pepper etc to make this fish curry into your own version.
- Serve the fish curry when it is still warm for the best result.
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What to serve with Kerala fish curry.
- Serve with cooked white rice, basmati rice or yellow rice.
- Serve with plain naan, garlic naan, chapati or atta roti.
- Vegetable curries to serve with Kerala fish curry.
- Indian stir-fried vegetables.
- Poppadam, a fresh mixed vegetable salad can be served as well.
- Serve with parathas, naan bread, string hopper, pittu, and bread.
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FAQs: for Kerala fish curry.
- Can I use frozen fish to make the fish curry?
- yes, you can but first you need to defrost the fish. remove the fish from the freezer and let the fish reach room temperature. this would take 1 and 1/2 hours.
- Once the fish has reached room temperature, wash, pat dry with kitchen paper towels and cook.
- What types of fish I can use to cook the curry?
- choose fish that are firm and don’t break down when simmering in the coconut milk gravy.
- Seer fish, mackerel, kingfish, cod, and salmon are some options.
- If you use small oily fish like sardines or smaller fish, clean and cook them whole and reduce the cooking time.
- What substitute can I use instead of garcinia?
- substitute with tamarind paste. soaked tamarind in water or lime juice
- Can I reduce the spice in this curry?
- Yes, use less or more curry powders, and red chilli powder to suit your needs.
- Can I prepare the fish curry ahead of time?
- yes. you can cook the curry a few hours before serving time. warm before serving the curry.
- How do I store the Kerala fish curry?
- Store the fish curry in a glass air-tight container rather than plastic. refrigerate and consume within 2 days.
- Reheating- warm the fish curry over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes and serve.
More Indian fish curry recipes.
Fish vinadaloo(Goan fish curry).
Fish molee(kerala fish curry).
RECIPE OVERVIEW OF KERALA FISH CURRY
Ingredients to cook Kerala fish curry.
Main ingredients.
- Fresh fish
- fresh fish or frozen fish that is thawed can be used. using firm fish is recommended as they withstand the slow simmering.
- Coconut milk.
- Coconut milk is a key ingredient in Kerala cuisine. the coconut milk gives the fish curry a creaminess and helps to balance off the spiciness of the dish.
- Coconut milk is a key ingredient in Kerala cuisine. the coconut milk gives the fish curry a creaminess and helps to balance off the spiciness of the dish.
- Spices used in the fish curry.
- Mustard seeds
- Curry leaves:.
- Fenugreek seeds
- Turmeric powder
- Red chilli powder and green chillies(optional)
- Minced ginger and garlic
- Garcinia adds a slight sourness to the gravy. you can substitute this with Tamarind or a tablespoon of lime juice.
- Other ingredients.
- Sliced or chopped onions. small red onions add more flavour than large onions.
- Chopped tomatoes(optional)
- Salt to season
How to make Kerala fish curry.
- First, have all the prep work done for cooking the fish.
- Cleaning and preparing the fish to cook.
- Have the spices and condiments ready.
- Have the coconut milk ready.
- Chop the onions and mince the garlic and ginger separately.
- The second phase of the cooking would be to cook the spice base which is important in building a flavorful gravy.
- you will need to temper ingredients and then add spices to build up a rough and aromatic spice blend.
- The third step is to pour in coconut milk to make the gravy.
- Add tanginess to the gravy by using ingredients that result in a slight sourness, which could be some garcinia, tamarind, or lime juice.
- Once the gravy reaches the correct consistency, we gently add the fish into the coconut milk gravy and let it simmer and absorb the flavours.
- Serve warm with the meal ideas given above.
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Kerala fish curry(South Indian fish curry)
Kerala fish curry. a South Indian classic seafood curry to savour, enjoy and experience a piece of coastal cuisine in India.
Fresh fish cooked in coconut milk, spices and a mild tang from garcinia or tamarind gives this Indian fish curry with authentic flavours you'll fall in love with.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons of oil(coconut oil or vegetable oil)
- 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds
- A sprig of curry leaves
- 1-2 green chillies split in two
- 1 tablespoons of garlic minced(4 cloves garlic)
- 1 tablespoon of ginger(1 and 1/2" piece ginger)
- 6 shallots chopped(substitute with 1 large onions)
- 1/2 a teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons of red chilli powder(increase or decrease as per your need)
- 1 tablespoon of curry powder
- 2 to 3 garcinia soaked in water for 15 minutes(substitute with 1/4 cup of tamarind water made with a 1 tablespoon of tamarind soaked in 1/4th cup water, strain and use the water)
- 1/2 a cup of water or thin coconut milk(make thin coconut milk by adding 1/4 cup coconut milk in 1/2 a cup of water)
- 1 cup of thick coconut milk(add an extra 1/2 a cup if you need more gravy)
- Salt to season
- 500g of fish(seer fish, sailfish, cod)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional ingredients
- 2 green chillies split in the middles(for added heat)
- 1 medium sized tomato chopped(for added tang)
- Handful of chopped cilantro(garnish)
Instructions
- Place a medium-sized cooking pan over low-medium heat.
- Pour in the oil and let it heat for a few seconds.
- Once the oil is hot, reduce the heat to low and add the mustard seeds.
- Add the fenugreek seeds and stir constantly to avoid burning.
- Add the curry leaves, minced garlic and ginger. constantly stir with a spoon while retaining low-medium heat.
- Add the chopped red onions and green chilli to the pan.
- Saute until the onions turn golden brown until they release their aroma. saute for 1 to 2 minutes or until they release their aroma.
- Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and curry powder.
- Stir the spices and combine with the cooking onions and curry leaves.
- Cook for 2 minutes and add water(you have the option to add thin coconut milk) stir slowly to combine.
- Gradually let the thin gravy simmer for a few minutes then add the soaked garcinia(substitute with tamarind water)into the gravy.
- Season with salt.
- Cook for 1 to 2 minutes and gently pour in the thick coconut milk.
- Maintain low medium heat and simmer the coconut milk fish curry gravy.
- Stir continuously.
- Taste and adjust the flavour. make sure to balance the heat, tanginess and creaminess by adding small amounts of the ingredients.
- Once the gravy is thick, gently add the fish pieces to the coconut milk gravy.
- Avoid stirring, instead pour the gravy over the fish curry and try to submerge the fish pieces without breaking them.
- Cover the pan, reduce heat to low and slow simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- If you are using smaller oily fish or tender fragile fish then reduce the cooking time.
- At the last few minutes, remove the lid and let the fish curry simmer for a further 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove from the stove and serve. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.
Nutrition Information
Yield 3 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 562Total Fat 52gSaturated Fat 30gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 19gCholesterol 0mgSodium 300mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 6gSugar 8gProtein 7g
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