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Zanzibar fish curry
Mchuzi wa samaki: Swahili coast fish in coconut, tamarind and turmeric
Mchuzi wa samaki is cooked in homes all along the Swahili coast, from Mombasa and Lamu to Stone Town in Zanzibar, where the spice trade left cumin, cardamom and turmeric in every kitchen. Firm fish simmers briefly in a sauce of tomato, onion and coconut milk soured with tamarind, and it is eaten with plain rice or chapati. The mistake is stirring once the fish is in, which breaks it up; shake the pan gently instead. Chef's tip: rub the fish with turmeric, lime and salt for 15 minutes first, which firms it and seasons it all the way through.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Toss 1 ½ lb firm white fish fillets with ½ tsp ground turmeric, half the ½ lime and ⅝ tsp salt. Leave in the fridge for 15 minutes.
15 minStep 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Cook 1 onion for 6 minutes until soft and golden. Add 3 garlic cloves, ½ oz fresh ginger and 1 green chilli and cook 1 minute.
7 minStep 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, ¼ tsp ground cardamom and ½ tsp ground turmeric for 30 seconds, then add 3 tomatoes and cook for 6 minutes until soft and pulpy.
7 minStep 4: Add 1 ¾ cups coconut milk, 1 tbsp tamarind paste and the rest of ⅝ tsp salt and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
5 minStep 5: Lay the fish in the sauce in one layer. Cover and simmer gently for 6–8 minutes, shaking the pan now and then, until the fish is opaque all the way through and flakes easily.
8 minStep 6: Finish with the rest of ½ lime and 3 tbsp chopped coriander. Serve with rice or chapati. Eat cooked fish within 1 day.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 390 kcal
- Protein
- 32 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 24 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does zanzibar fish curry take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of ground turmeric?
- Leave it out (it mostly adds colour).
- What can I use instead of lime?
- Lemon, same amount.
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