Achari tamarind fish curry
Sumayya shares one of her favourite family recipes for a traditional Pakistani fish curry, utilising the tangy flavour of pickles, or 'achar'. Any firm white fish may be used, although Sumaya recommends halibut or hake.
Ingredients
Fish and marinade
- 500g of white fish , such as halibut or hake, fillet weight
- 1 lemon , juiced
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tbsp of tamarind paste
- 1 tsp sea salt
Curry
- 1 large onion , chopped into half moons
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp nigella seeds
- 1 dried chilli
- 1 green chilli
- 2 tsp garlic paste
- 2 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp of pickle, such as lime pickle
- 120ml of natural yoghurt
- 120ml of sunflower oil
Spice mix
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 tsp coriander seeds
- 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
Method
1
To begin, roughly grind together the spices for the spice mix in a pestle and mortar or electric grinder and set aside. Mix together the lemon, turmeric, chilli powder, tamarind paste and sea salt, then rub this mixture over the fish fillets and leave to marinate for about an hour
2
Heat the oil in a wok over a medium heat and fry the onions until browned and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Set aside
3
Using the same oil, pop in the nigella seeds, cumin seeds and dried red chilli. When they start to splutter, add the ginger and garlic and cook until lightly browned, do not let the ginger and garlic burn. Add the lime pickle and green chillis and cook for a further minute
4
Stir in the yoghurt and cook on a medium heat until the oil separates from the curry sauce and the yoghurt is cooked through. Add a splash of water if the curry is getting too thick. Add the fish and onions, cover and cook on a low heat until the fish is nearly cooked through
5
Sprinkle over the ground spice mix, cover and cook for a final 2-3 minutes, or until the fish is cooked though. When ready to serve, return the onions to the wok and reheat
6
Serve the curry with fragrant Basmati rice or naan bread
Discover more:
Go to Comments
Achari tamarind fish curry
