RAW FISH SINGAPORE-STYLE WITH TAMARIND, CURRY, COCONUT & KŪMARA
Fiona Smith
Serves
4 as a main or 8 as a starterPreparation
25 mins plus marinating timeCook
25 minsIngredients
10 stems curry leaves | |
1 tablespoon tamarind purée | |
1 clove garlic, very finely chopped | |
4cm piece ginger, peeled, grated | |
1 stalk lemongrass, tough outer leaves removed, finely chopped | |
2 teaspoons crushed chilli | |
½ teaspoon curry powder | |
5 tablespoons lemon juice | |
3 tablespoons lime juice | |
600g fish, cubed or sliced | |
3 tablespoons plain oil | |
1 eggplant, cut into 2cm cubes | |
2 medium kūmara, peeled, cut into 2cm cubes | |
200ml coconut cream | |
¼ cup mint, finely chopped | |
250g green beans, steamed then cooled | |
2 teaspoons chaat masala (optional) | |
naan or roti, to serve |
Inspired by Peranakan flavours of Singapore, this fragrant, curried salad is good for those who love the coconut hit of a Pacific fish salad but are keen to try something different. The chaat masala adds a lovely funky, tangy zing (it is available from specialty stores; I used Cassia At Home’s version).
Instructions
1. | Remove the leaves from two of the curry leaf stalks and crush in your hands, then put in a bowl. |
2. | Add the tamarind, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, 1 teaspoon chilli, curry powder, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of the lime juice. |
3. | Stir in the fish and set aside to marinate. |
4. | Heat the oven to 200°C. |
5. | Heat the oil in a wok and fry the remaining curry leaves for about 30 seconds until crisp, taking care as they spit. |
6. | Turn off the heat, scoop out the leaves (retaining the oil in the wok) and drain on paper towels. Set aside in an airtight container. |
7. | Toss the eggplant and kūmara in the oil with a sprinkle of salt, adding a little more if you feel the eggplant isn’t coated enough. |
8. | Spread out on a baking tray and roast for 25 minutes, stirring once. Set aside to cool. |
9. | In a bowl or jug, combine the coconut cream, mint, remaining 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of chilli and season with salt. |
10. | Arrange the roast vegetables on a serving dish with the beans. |
11. | Season the fish and juices with salt to taste and spoon over the veges. |
12. | Drizzle over the coconut dressing, top with the curry leaves and sprinkle over some chaat masala if using. |
13. | Serve with naan or roti. |
Recipes and food styling Fiona Smith / Photography Aaron McLean / Styling Fiona Lascelles
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