Goan Chonak Fish Curry Reef Fish Coconut Tamarind Everyday

Ingredients

• 500g reef fish fillets or small whole fish (chonak, modso or any small Goan reef fish; substitute with any firm white fish)
• For Goan red curry:
• 1 cup freshly grated coconut
• 5 dried Kashmiri red chillies
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 5 garlic cloves
• 1 marble-sized ball tamarind — soaked
• 1 small onion — finely sliced
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt

Method

1. Extract tamarind juice from soaked tamarind.
2. Blend grated coconut, red chillies, coriander seeds, cumin, turmeric and garlic with 1/2 cup water into a very smooth paste.
3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pot. Add finely sliced onion.
4. Cook on medium 5 minutes until softened.
5. Add the coconut paste and tamarind juice.
6. Add 1/2 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer.
7. Add fish. Settle gently into the curry — do not stir, just shake the pot.
8. Simmer on medium for 8 minutes until fish is cooked through.
9. Season with salt.