Fish Curry with Tamarind and Mustard Seeds
Why this recipe works
- Bright, balanced gravy: Tamarind adds sharpness that cuts through the tomato base and keeps the curry light rather than heavy.
- Aromatic base: Mustard seeds, onion, ginger, garlic, turmeric and black pepper build flavour before the liquid is added.
- Fast fish cooking: The fish only needs a short, gentle simmer at the end, making the curry suitable for a weeknight dinner.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- Keep the fish tender: Once the fish is in the sauce, keep the curry at a quiet simmer and remove it from the heat as soon as the pieces turn opaque and flake easily.
- Serve rice separately: Store and reheat the rice separately from the curry so the grains stay distinct rather than absorbing too much gravy.
Ingredient notes
- Choose firm white fish: A firm, skinless white fish holds its shape better in the sauce than very delicate fillets.
- Adjust the tamarind carefully: Tamarind pastes vary in sharpness, so taste the gravy before adding the fish and balance with seasoning if needed.
- Use fresh aromatics: Fresh ginger, garlic and coriander give the curry a cleaner, brighter flavour than dried alternatives.
Common mistakes
- Boiling after adding the fish: A hard boil can break the fillets apart and make the gravy cloudy, so keep the heat low once the fish is added.
- Overcooking the mustard seeds: Add the onion as soon as the mustard seeds begin to pop; if they darken too much, they can taste bitter.
Serving ideas
- Serve with basmati rice: Fluffy basmati rice is the best match for the light tamarind-tomato gravy.
- Finish with coriander: Fresh coriander added at the end lifts the acidity of the tamarind and keeps the curry tasting bright.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs mostly clear. Put it in a saucepan with the water and 1 tsp of the salt, bring to the boil, then cover and cook on the lowest heat for 10 minutes. Take off the heat and leave covered for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Meanwhile, slice the onion. Peel and finely grate the ginger, and peel the garlic. Roughly chop the tomatoes and chop the coriander.
- Heat the coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until they start to pop. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
- Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the ground turmeric and black pepper for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until they break down into a loose sauce.
- Stir in the tamarind paste and 200 ml water, then bring to a gentle simmer. Season with the remaining 1 tsp salt, adjusting to taste. Keep the heat low so the sauce bubbles quietly.
- Cut the fish into large pieces and nestle them into the sauce. Simmer gently for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. Take off the heat and stir through most of the coriander, saving a little to finish.
- Serve the fish curry over the basmati rice. Sprinkle with the remaining coriander and spoon over plenty of the tamarind tomato gravy.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the curry at a gentle simmer once the fish goes in; a hard boil can break the fillets and make the sauce cloudy.
- If you are cooking for anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, make sure the fish is cooked until fully opaque and piping hot throughout.
Substitutions
- Replace coconut oil with olive oil for a less coconut-forward base.
- Replace white fish fillet with salmon fillet for a richer curry; keep the simmer gentle so it stays in large flakes.
- Replace tomato with canned chopped tomatoes for convenience; cook them down until the sauce tastes rounded rather than raw.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool the curry quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water until piping hot; avoid boiling to keep the fish in pieces. Store rice separately and reheat with a tablespoon of water, covered, until steaming hot.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 45min (30min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Indian
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Allergens:
Fish Mustard
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