| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins – 25 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 350 | 15g | 3g | 12g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 4g | 6g | 50g | 1g |
Why I Love Indian Fish in Spicy Poppy Seed Gravy
There are few things I enjoy more than merging my Southern cooking background with exotic flavors from around the world. Today’s culinary adventure led me to a traditional Indian dish, the intriguingly named Fish in Spicy Poppy Seed Gravy. This is undoubtedly one of the many recipes where my coastal Carolina roots and the flirtation with seafood come in handy.
The Harmony of Ingredients
This dish is a symphony of flavors, with the heat from the spices offset by the delicate sweetness of the white fish fillets. Not to mention, poppy seeds give it that extraordinary dimension. It’s quite akin to Bengali cuisine, with a heavy focus on the flavor imparted by mustard oil and poppy seeds. There’s just something about the way these ingredients blend together that reminds me of summers spent in Charleston, cooking up a seafood feast.
The late, great Floyd Cardoz, a renowned Indian chef, undoubtedly inspires my love for Indian seafood. The way he effortlessly mixed traditional Indian spices with Western cooking techniques has always fascinated me, and this Fish in Spicy Poppy Seed Gravy reflects a page out of his book.
The Versatility of this Dish
One of the things I adore about the Fish in Spicy Poppy Seed Gravy is its versatility. It pairs beautifully with a warm serving of basmati rice to absorb the flavorful gravy or even with something as simple as fresh, crusty bread.
This recipe reminds me of the customary Kerala-style fish curry, with its robust and spicy gravy, common in the coastal Indian state. Meanwhile, it also has the gentle whisker of the low-country boil, which is closer to home. That said, don’t limit yourself. This spicy poppy seed gravy can accompany many items, from grilled vegetables to tofu, making it a great option for various dietary preferences.
But let’s not forget, the beauty of cooking is making a dish your own. So feel free to play around with the ingredients according to your taste, just as I have. I promise you, this adventure called Fish in Spicy Poppy Seed Gravy is worth it.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs white fish fillets
- 1/2 cup poppy seeds
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 2 green chili peppers, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 tablespoons mustard oil
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt to taste
Method
Step One
Start by washing the fish fillets. Then, sprinkle them with turmeric powder and salt according to your preference. Set aside to marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
Step Two
While the fish is marinating, take a skillet and heat the mustard oil. When the oil is hot enough, fry the fish fillets until they turn golden brown. Once done, remove and set them aside.
Step Three
In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onions. Sauté them until they turn a golden brown color. Now, add the ginger paste, garlic paste, and finely chopped green chili peppers. Mix and cook until the raw smell of the ginger-garlic paste is gone.
Step Four
Next, add the poppy seeds to the skillet. Keep cooking on a medium flame until the seeds turn a dark brown color. Now, add the turmeric powder and red chili powder, mix well.
Step Five
Add 1 cup of water to the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer until the gravy reduces to your desired consistency.
Step Six
Now, gently add the fried fish back to the skillet, making sure it’s well coated with the poppy seed gravy. Cover the skillet and let it cook on low heat for another 5-7 minutes.
Step Seven
Finally, adjust the salt to your taste, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve your fish in spicy poppy seed gravy hot. Enjoy your meal.
