Coconut-Poached Fish Curry with Tamarind and Mustard Seeds
A traditional Goan seafood curry where fish is gently poached in a creamy coconut and tamarind sauce brightened with mustard seeds and curry leaves. This Indian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs fresh grated coconut, tamarind paste, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 400 g firm white fish fillets (e.g. kingfish or cod)
- 1 cup (80 g) fresh grated coconut
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 10 leaves curry leaves
- 1 green chili, slit
- 1 medium (150 g) onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 1/2 cups water
- to taste salt
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Grind 1 cup grated fresh coconut (80 g) with 1/2 cup warm water into a smooth paste and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and wait until they start popping, then add 10 curry leaves and 1 slit green chili, sautéing for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium finely chopped onion (150 g) and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and 1 tbsp tamarind paste, cooking for 1 minute. Pour in 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 5: Lower heat to a simmer and add the ground coconut paste, stirring well to combine. Season with salt to taste.
- Step 6: Carefully add 400 g firm white fish fillets cut into large chunks, spooning sauce over them. Cover and poach for 10-12 minutes or until the fish is opaque and cooked through.
- Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves before serving with steamed rice or flatbread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coconut-Poached Fish Curry with Tamarind and Mustard Seeds take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Coconut-Poached Fish Curry with Tamarind and Mustard Seeds?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coconut-Poached Fish Curry with Tamarind and Mustard Seeds?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Coconut-Poached Fish Curry with Tamarind and Mustard Seeds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Coconut-Poached Fish Curry with Tamarind and Mustard Seeds?
Indian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
