This Kerala Fish Curry recipe is one of the most favorite curry of mine and I have wanted to share it for a long time. And finally, it’s time now. I would say why in the post. Read ahead.
Kerala Fish Curry
This curry is so special for any fish lover. As the name suggests it is from the Land of Coconuts, Kerala. As Kerala has a big coastal line, fish is the most used seafood. In my aunt’s house, a person comes daily in a bi-cycle to sell fresh fish. Just imagine how tasty it will be to cook with fresh fish. I can’t just explain and I really miss that taste when I cook with frozen fish I get here in the US.
As I said in the beginning, I waited a long time to share my favorite fish curry because I couldn’t get a good picture. Each time, I feel the picture doesn’t convey the taste of the dish. I hope now, I did a decent job of capturing fish curry which justifies the taste. Do you agree?
| You might also want to check Kerala Mathi curry |
How to make Kerala fish curry with Coconut
As the name suggests, we use coconuts to make this Kerala fish curry. We grind coconut with shallots, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds. The fenugreek seeds and the shallots give the unique flavor of the curry. Sauté shallots, and tomatoes in coconut oil. Add spices and tamarind extract. When the raw smell goes, add ground coconut. Let it boil for a few seconds. Now add cleaned and cut fish pieces. Cook till the fish pieces are done.
They usually use a special tamarind called ‘Kodum puli’ or Kokum. It gives a unique taste to the curry. Sardine or Mathi meen is the perfect fish to try this curry. As I couldn’t find fresh Sardines here in the US, I made this fish curry using Tilapia. A hardcore fish lover myself, I have made this fish curry with coconut a lot of times. This fish curry tastes great when eaten the next day. The fish would have soaked very well in the curry. If you can’t wait a day long, at least prepare 2 hours before you plan to serve.
Let’s discuss the ingredients
Fish – Sardine or Mathi fish is perfect to make this fish curry. If not you can use Tilapia.
Tamarind – I used the normal tamarind we get in Indian stores.
Coconut – You can use fresh or frozen coconut, thawed.
Methi / Fenugreek seeds – Methi seeds are a must for this Fish curry. It gives a unique taste but do not use it more as it gives a bitter taste.
Short video to make Fish curry
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You may want to try this
Recipe for Fish Curry using Tilapia
Ingredients
Tilapia Fish – 1 Lb (see notes)
Shallots – 7 or 8
Garlic – 2 pods
Tomato – 1 chopped
Coconut oil – 2 tsp
Turmeric Powder – ½ Tsp
Red chili powder – 1 ½ Tsp
Coriander powder – 3 Tsp
Tamarind – lemon-sized soaked in 1 cup water
Curry leaves – few
Mustard seeds – ½ Tsp
Methi seeds – ⅛ Tsp
Salt – as required
To grind
Coconut – ½ Cup grated
Jeera seeds – ½ Tsp
Methi seeds – ⅛ Tsp
Method
- Clean and cut the fish. Apply some turmeric and keep aside.
- Grind the coconut with the ingredients under ‘ To grind’.
- In a deep pan, add oil.
- When the oil is hot add mustard seeds and methi seeds. When the mustard seeds crackle, add shallots and garlic.
- Once the shallots saute till golden, add tomatoes and spice powders.
- Cook till the tomatoes become mushy.
- Extract the tamarind juice from the soaked tamarind. Add this tamarind extract to the cooked tomatoes.
- Let it boil till the raw smell goes.
- Add the ground coconut mixture to it. Add the required salt.
- Let it boil for a second and add fish pieces.
- Cook in medium flame till the fish is cooked and soft.
- Drizzle a tsp of coconut oil and add curry leaves. Close the pan and switch off the flame.
- Serve the curry with rice.
Notes
- Use shallots for the best taste. But still, you can use normal onions if you can’t find shallots.
- Adjust the red chili powder as per your spice level.
- Try to use Coconut oil for the authentic taste.
- Sardine or Mathi is the perfect choice to make this curry. But I used Tilapia as I couldn’t get fresh Sardines.
Kerala Fish Curry with Coconut
Equipment
- Spatula
- Knife
- Chopping board
Ingredients
- 1 lb Tilapia Fish see notes
- 8 nos Shallots
- 2 pods Garlic
- 1 no Tomato chopped
- 2 Tsp Coconut oil
- 1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 1/2 Tsp Red Chili powder
- 3 Tsp Coriander Powder
- Tamarind lemon sized soaked in 1 cup water
- Curry leaves few
- 1/2 Tsp Mustard seeds
- 1/8 Tsp Methi seeds
- Salt As required
To grind
- 1/2 Cup Coconut grated
- 1/2 Tsp Jeera /Cumin seeds
- 1/8 Tsp Methi seeds/ fenugreek seeds
Instructions
- Clean and cut the fish. Apply some turmeric and keep aside.
- Grind the coconut with the ingredients under ‘ To grind’.
- In a deep pan, add oil.
- When the oil is hot add mustard seeds and methi seeds. When the mustard seeds crackle, add shallots and garlic.
- Saute shallots till golden,add tomatoes and spice powders.
- Cook till the tomatoes becomes mushy.
- Extract the tamarind juice from the soaked tamarind. Add this tamarind extract to the cooked tomatoes.
- Let it boil till the raw smell goes.
- Add the ground coconut mixture in it. Add required salt.
- Let it boil for a second and add fish pieces.
- Cook in medium flame till the fish is cooked and soft.
- Drizzle a tsp of coconut oil and add curry leaves. Close the pan and switch off the flame.
- Serve the curry with rice.
Video
Notes
- Use shallots for the best taste. But still you can use normal onions if you can’t find shallots.
- Adjust the red chili powder as per your spice level.
- Try to use Coconut oil for the authentic taste.
- Sardine or Mathi is the perfect choice to make this curry. But I used Tilapia as I couldn’t get fresh Sardine.
Pin Kerala Fish Curry
My partner cooked this recipe after we trawled Google.
It was banging. So much so we are cooking it again today, and it has been written in to our family recipe book.
That’s really an honor. Thank you.
First time making a fish curry, I’m a hardened curry maker, lamb, pork chicken etc….. and I must say this dish came out better than I could of thought! Amazing. Made a couple twicks to ingredients, but spot on. Everyone impressed.
Thank you so much for your feedback. Really appreciate it.
Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.
Thank you
Thanks Guys, Your Recipe Was Too Fantastic. Me and My Family Loved it. I Will Share your Rrecipe with my friends.
Thank you
Great recipe
Thank you
This curry is one of the best and can never go wrong , love it .Your presentation is awesome !
Thank you dear
Ah, if you say it is one of your favorite curry recipes, I should definitely make it over the weekend. I mean, it looks absolutely delicious, and I am sure it is!
Thank you
I can never get enough fish recipes, especially during the summer, and I love a good curry, so this is the perfect recipe for me! It’s so delicious and comforting. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you
What a delicious curry! I’ve been trying to include more fish in our diet and both the fella and I love curry so this would be perfect for us!
Thank you. Do give a try and let me know your feedback.
Oh, I love fish curry but I surely don’t make it often enough. This is a great ispiration and I will now save the recipe to make it this Friday , delish! Thanks for sharing 😉
Thank you
The curry looks delicious and easy to make, it is always good to have such easy recipes, they are life saviours.
Thank you
This sounds so tasty and I love how simple it is! Perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
Thank you
Kerala is top of my bucket list to visit partly because of the food! This fish curry looks beautiful. We have plenty of fresh fish here in Italy but not Tilapia, maybe I can use branzino (sea bass) instead.
Wow, that’s interesting.Wish you visit Kerala soon. I love to hear your feedback when you try this curry.
Your step by step directions and pictures will make making this recipe very easy to follow. Your pictures also highlight your kerala fish curry so nicely.
Thank you
I love fish curry and yours looks so tasty. Sorry you don’t have a fish market near you. Luckily we have an International Food Market with an awesome selection of fish. Will be trying this soon.
That’s awesome. Hope you try this Curry. Love to hear your feedback. thank you