Once you nail an easy fish curry like this, it becomes a rewarding and hearty staple in your weeknight rotation. We are often time-poor, so we always keep a good-quality curry base and a can of coconut milk in the pantry to whip this up on a whim. It's the kind of dish that feels like you've put in much more effort than you actually have.
In our store, the most popular fish we sell for this dish is rock ling — it holds its shape beautifully and stays pillowy soft in the curry sauce. Barramundi, swordfish, blue-eye or even prawns all work a treat too.
Thai-style Fish Curry
Serves 4
You'll need
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 100g good-quality red curry paste
- 400ml can coconut milk
- 3 dried kaffir lime leaves
- 2 dried red chillies (optional, if you like extra heat)
- 1 brown onion, roughly chopped
- 1 zucchini (or pumpkin), diced
- 125g green beans, roughly chopped
- 250g bamboo shoots
- 2 rock ling fillets (500g), skin off and cubed
- Steamed jasmine rice, to serve
- Coriander leaves, to serve (optional)
- Fried shallots, to serve (optional)
How to make it
In a wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat and fry off the curry paste for a minute or so until all the fragrances are released. Add the coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves and the dried chilli if you're using it, and bring everything to a gentle simmer. You may need to add up to 125ml of water here if you need extra liquid.
Add the vegetables and allow them to cook for around 5 minutes, or until just tender. Last, add the fish and cook for only 1–2 minutes, then turn the heat off and cover the wok with a lid. Let the fish finish cooking in the retained heat for another 3–5 minutes, stirring gently once or twice. Rock ling does not take long, so keep an eye on it — overcooked ling can be tough. You want it pillowy soft.
Line four bowls with steamed jasmine rice and spoon the curry generously over the top. Serve with coriander leaves and fried shallots if you like.
This recipe is from The Fishmonger's Son Cookbook — available in-store at 781 Nicholson Street, Carlton North — come and say hello.