| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins – 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 568 | 34g | 15g | 32g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 3g | 46g | 0.40g |
Why I Love Indian Fish in Peanut Coconut Sauce
As someone who hails from the salty breeze of the Atlantic coast, my culinary heart often leans towards the marine, but I continuously draw from other exciting cuisines. Today, we’re tackling a delightful Indian recipe – Fish in Peanut Coconut Sauce. 
This beautiful and vibrant dish is a marriage of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, captivating your senses in every bite. It’s superbly combined in a heavenly peanut and coconut sauce before being served over a fluffy bed of basmati rice. While it may seem to stray from my usual New England repertoire, it’s just a proof of the beauty of gastronomic versatility.
Bringing Sea and Spice Together
This recipe is a refreshing change from my traditional seafood dishes, introducing the harmonious balance of Indian spices like cumin, coriander and tangy lime juice. The presence of turmeric and cayenne pepper adds a mild heat that doesn’t overpower your palate, but rather, quietly lingers. The robust aroma emanating from the sauce echoes the magic woven by Indian masters, such as the celebrated chef Padma Lakshmi. However, I’ve given it a bit of my personal twist with the addition of peanut butter, creating a delectable blend of local produce interweaved with an eastern flare.
A Uniquely Enriching Fish Dish
This Fish in Peanut Coconut Sauce bears a striking resemblance to Thai Massaman curry, both involving a flavorful sauce bath for the fish. The fundamental difference lies in the nutty undertones, introduced by the inclusion of smooth peanut butter, subtly bringing my New England persona to the spotlight. And honestly, what could be more delectable than combining a creamy coconut base with the richness of peanuts? It’s like surf and turf, but in a wholly different, tantalizingly tasteful way.
This recipe also works beautifully as a versatile pair with several side dishes. I personally enjoy the Fish in Peanut Coconut Sauce alongside a crisp green salad or some fresh naan bread for a more wholesome meal. This way, every household gets to add their signature touch to the final meal. Meanwhile, it’s the perfect balance of the Indian spiciness and the New England love for seafood that makes this recipe so special to me.
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of white fish fillets
- 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, chopped
- 4 cups of cooked basmati rice3
Method
Step One
Begin by heating up the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onions and sauté until they start to become translucent.
Step Two
Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric and cayenne pepper to the pan. Stir the mixture well, allowing the spices to blend and develop their flavors, cook this mixture for approximately 2 minutes.
Step Three
Introduce the smooth peanut butter and coconut milk to the pan. Stir the ingredients together until they are well combined. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Step Four
Once simmering, add the fish fillets to the pan. Make sure the fillets are evenly coated with the sauce. After that, lower the heat and let the fish cook gently in the sauce. This would usually take about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.
Step Five
When the fish is cooked through, add the lime juice, brown sugar and salt. Give it a good stir to make sure these additional flavors are evenly dispersed throughout the sauce.
Step Six
Finally, sprinkle the chopped cilantro over the top of the fish and sauce just before serving.
Step Seven
Serve the fish fillets hot, with the sauce drizzled over the top. Ideally, pair the dish with cooked basmati rice for a balanced and flavorful meal.
