Pan-Seared Fish Curry with Coconut and Kokum

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A coastal Goan fish curry featuring pan-seared firm fish cooked in a tangy and creamy coconut and kokum sauce. This Indian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs fresh grated coconut, kokum petals, green chilies 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

• 1 lb, cut into 2-inch pieces firm white fish fillets (e.g. kingfish or snapper)
• 1 cup fresh grated coconut
• 6, soaked in 1/2 cup warm water for 15 minutes kokum petals
• 2, chopped green chilies
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 10 fresh curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 inch piece, minced ginger
• 1 medium, finely sliced onion
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a blender, grind 1 cup fresh grated coconut with 2 chopped green chilies and 1/2 cup kokum-soaked water until smooth; set aside the coconut-kokum paste.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, wait until they start to pop.
3. Step 3: Add 10 fresh curry leaves, 1 medium finely sliced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 inch minced ginger. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and the prepared coconut-kokum paste. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens and the oil begins to separate.
5. Step 5: Add 1 cup water and 1 tsp salt, bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Carefully add 1 lb fish pieces and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes until the fish is just cooked through and the sauce coats the fish.