South Indian Fish Curry

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 2 dried red chile peppers, plus 1 teaspoon of water
• 1 golf-ball sized tamarind pulp
• 2 cups hot water
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• Salt, to taste
• 1 small coconut, flesh grated
• 2 cups coconut milk, divided

For the Fish:

• 16 ounces firm white fish, cut into 2-inch pieces

For the Curry:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 8 curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1 green chili pepper
• 2 medium onions, ground into a paste, divided
• 1 large tomato, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instruction

Make the Marinade

1. Gather the ingredients. 
2. Use a mortar and pestle to pound the dry red chilies into a coarse paste using a teaspoon of water.
3. Add the tamarind to the hot water and, with your hands, squeeze the fruit well to release all the pulp from it. Strain the thick tamarind juice and discard the pith and seeds.
4. Mix the red chili paste and tamarind juice with the ground coriander and turmeric. Add salt to taste. Add the grated coconut and 1 cup of coconut milk. Mix well.

Marinate the Fish

1. Place the pieces of fish in a large, flat dish and pour the marinade mixture over. Make sure all the pieces are coated and marinate for 3 hours.

Make the Curry

1. Heat the cooking oil in a deep pan over medium heat until hot. Add the curry leaves, fenugreek seeds, and green chili. Sauté for roughly 2 minutes, or until the oil stops splattering.
2. Add half of the onion paste and sauté until the onion begins to slightly brown.
3. Add the chopped tomato.
4. Sauté till the spices start to release their oil and tomato turns darker. Stir frequently.
5. Remove the fish from the marinade and set aside. Add marinade liquid into the pan and stir.
6. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the garlic paste, cumin, pepper, and the remaining onion paste. Stir and add the remaining cup of coconut milk.
7. Lower to a simmer and cook until the oil begins to appear on top of the gravy.
8. Add the pieces of fish and simmer until it’s cooked through. If stirring, do so very gently to avoid breaking fish pieces. Turn off the heat.
9. Serve curry with the side dishes of your choice and enjoy!