Sunday evening was a day I was tired beyond measure, so I turned to this fish curry that served as a one dish meal built in with vegetables and fish served with steaming hot white rice. Yes, a meal that is fairly Bengali in its roots and overall super comforting.
PrintCoconut Fish Curry with Cauliflower and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 11/2 pounds of tilapia fillet, cut into 2 inch sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil (preferably mustard oil)
- 1 teaspoon nigella seeds or panchphoron
- 1 medium sized red onion, cut into a fine dice
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger paste
- 1 medium head (about 3/4 pound) of cauliflower
- 1 medium sized potato, peeled,halved and thinly sliced
- 1 to 2 medium sized tomatoes
- 2 green chilies finely chopped
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 3/4 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro
- Rub the tilapia with the turmeric and the salt and set aside.
Instructions
- Heat the oil and add in the nigella seeds or the panchphoron and wait until the seeds begin to crackle.
- Add in the onion and the ginger and saute for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the onions soften and begin to turn gently golden.
- Add in the cauliflower and the potato and add in a little salt and mix well.
- Cover and steam cook the vegetables for 6 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the cover and add in the tomato and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Gently add in the fish and the green chilies.
- Add in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer and mix in the water.
- Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are well done and the fish is soft and the flavors are well mixed.
- The sauce should also thicken at this time.
- Garnish with the cilantro and serve with steamed rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of fish holds up best in this coconut curry?
Firm white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia works well because it does not fall apart during simmering. Avoid delicate fish like sole or flounder, which will break down too quickly in the sauce.
Do the potatoes and cauliflower need to be pre-cooked before adding to the curry?
No, but cut them into similar-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. Add the potatoes first since they take longer, and add the cauliflower a few minutes later so it stays slightly firm. 
Can I use light coconut milk instead of full-fat?
You can, but the sauce will be noticeably thinner and less rich. If you want to reduce the fat content, use full-fat coconut milk and simply add less of it, then adjust with a bit of water or broth.
Such a great recipe, made yesterday and it was a smash hit!
Vibrant and delicious, turned out really great.
Sounds yummy have to try
This was a lifesaver tonight! I did add a can of diced tomatoes on top of the fresh ones (we love tomatoes here) as well as a few squeezes of fresh lime… but we loved it and have leftovers for lunches for the next few days. Great recipe!
Hi Christine,
Glad you liked it. Made it again today. I added some squash along with the potatoes.
Just tried this. It’s grand, but not hot (piquant) enough for British palate. I added more chili, and quite a lot of garlic too. Will definitely cook it again. Thank you for the method.