Konkani Fish Kadi

To give this Southern spin on fish curry an upgrade, seek out Simmons catfish, raised in aquifer-fed ponds in the Mississippi Delta. Visit simmonscatfish.com for information on where to purchase.

Konkani Fish Kadi
Photo: Victor Protasio
Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Yield:
4

Ingredients

CURRY

  • 6 to 8 chiles de árbol

  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

  • 1/4 cup water, plus more if needed

  • 8 garlic cloves

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 10 fresh curry leaves, divided

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

  • 1 medium-size yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 3 cups unsweetened coconut milk

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

FISH

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chile powder

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger (grated on a Microplane)

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated garlic (grated on a Microplane)

  • 1 pound skinless catfish fillets, cut into 2-inch pieces

  • Cooked basmati rice, kachumber salad, and lime wedges, for serving

Directions

Make the curry

  1. Combine chiles, peppercorns, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds in a dry skillet. Cook over medium, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Place toasted spices in a blender; add 1/4 cup water, garlic, turmeric, and 5 curry leaves. Process until a thick paste forms, about 1 minute, adding more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to blend smoothly.

  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 5 curry leaves. Cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in spice paste, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 25 minutes. Stir in lime juice and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.

Make the fish

  1. Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high to 350°F. Stir together lime juice, turmeric, chile powder, salt, ginger, and garlic in a medium bowl. Add fish, and toss to evenly coat. Working in 2 batches, fry fish pieces in hot oil until golden brown and just done, about 1 minute and 30 seconds per side; drain on paper towels.

  2. Add fried fish to curry, and serve over basmati rice with lime wedges and kachumber (an onion, tomato, and cucumber) salad.

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