A Mother’s Day Gift to Moms Everywhere – Fish Curry Recipe

I was in Toronto visiting family a couple of weeks back and met a very interesting woman from Singapore.  A health and wellness journalist, Indrani and I soon started talking food and when she described her fish curry, I asked for the recipe.  I would now like to thank Indrani publicly and to share this recipe with all you moms out there (and non-moms too!)

Indrani’s Fish in Mustard Gravy (Curry)

• 1 lb 5 oz (600g) pieces of fish
• 1 ¾ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp poppy seeds
• 2 tbsp brown mustard seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 cup coconut milk (more or less depending on your taste)
• 1 x ¾ inch piece of ginger
• 6 garlic cloves
• 2 green chillies
• 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 – 1 ½ red chilli powder
• 5 tbsp oil
• 3 tomatoes pureed
• Juice of ½ lime
• 2 tbsp cilantro leaves

Method

1. Wash fish thoroughly. Smear each piece with a little salt and leave for half an hour. Wash off.
2. Toast the poppy seeds for 2 minutes on a griddle on low heat. Then pound in mortar and pestle, adding a little water, if necessary.
3. Grind together the crushed poppy seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, ginger, garlic, green chillies, onion, coriander, cumin, chilli powder and 1 ¼ tsp salt, along with up to ½ cup water, to make a thick paste.
4. In a large frying pan heat oil over moderate heat and fry the spice paste for 6-7 minutes, stirring continuously and adding a little water at a time (up to ½ cup) as and when required.
5. Add tomatoes and sauté for 3 minutes. Then add coconut milk and the lime juice and simmer for 5 minutes on low heat. Salt to taste.
6. Add the fish pieces and cook until done. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves when serving.

Indrani adds:  Brenda: the quantities are just a guide. Please experiment until you find a combination that suits your personal taste. For example, I like coconut cream so I use that in place of the milk and I add it bit by bit until the curry achieves the consistency and taste that I like. Similarly with the chilli powder.