Indian Coconut Fish Curry

• Recipe by Anya von Bremzen

Inspired by the cooking of the Malabar coast, this fish curry is tremendously flavorful, thanks to tamarind, coconut, garlic and ginger. Kingfish (a type of mackerel) is traditional, but this recipe calls for salmon, whose richness is delectable with the complex spices.

Ingredients

1. 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2. 1/4 cup minced onion
3. 2 large garlic cloves, minced
4. 2 medium serrano chiles, minced
5. 1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
6. 1/3 cup plus 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
7. 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
8. 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
9. 8 curry leaves, preferably fresh (see Note)
10. 2 teaspoons ground fennel
11. 1 tablespoon ground coriander
12. 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
13. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
14. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
15. 1/4 teaspoon ground fenugreek
16. 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate dissolved in 1 tablespoon of water
17. 2/3 cup water
18. 1/2 cup chopped canned tomatoes, drained
19. Pinch of sugar
20. 15 cherry tomatoes, halved
21. 2 1/4 pounds skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1 1/4-inch chunks
22. Salt
23. Cilantro leaves, for garnish

Directions

1. In a mini food processor, combine the shredded coconut, onion, garlic, serrano and ginger with the 1/3 cup coconut milk and process to a paste.
2. In a large, deep skillet, heat the vegetable oil. Add the yellow mustard seeds and curry leaves and cook over moderately high heat until the seeds pop, about 1 minute. Add the coconut paste and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add the ground fennel, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, cayenne and fenugreek and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 3/4 cup of coconut milk and the tamarind paste, water, tomatoes and sugar. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any bits from the skillet. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
3. Add the cherry tomatoes to the sauce and simmer over moderate heat until just starting to soften, about 1 minute. Season the salmon with salt, add it to the skillet and simmer over moderate heat, stirring gently a few times, until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the curry with the cilantro leaves and serve.

Make Ahead

The curry can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently.

Serve With

Steamed basmati rice.

Notes

Fresh curry leaves, which resemble small bay leaves and have a savory flavor, are available from www.kalustyans.com.