Assam Fish Curry

Assam Fish Curry Recipe

• Serves: 4
• Prep: 10 mins
• Cook: 15 mins

Whip up this assam fish curry on busy nights - your family will be impressed with the results.

Ingredients

• 40 grams tamarind better known as 'assam' locally
• 500 ml water
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 5 shallots peeled and finely chopped
• 1 packet instant fish curry spice (about 200g, I use A1 fish curry sauce)
• 3 sprigs curry leaves
• 1 lime juice
• 4 tenggiri fish fillets about 400 to 550grams
• 10 lady’s fingers (orka) tops trimmed, cut to 3 sections
• 200 grams brinjal (eggplant or aubergine) halved lengthwise and cut to 1 cm slices
• 2 tomatoes each cut into six wedges
• chilli powder to taste (I use about 1 tsp)
• salt or fish sauce to taste

Instructions

1. Dissolve assam (tamarind) in 500ml of water. Using a spoon, stir thoroughly until the assam is dissolved and the solution turns brown.
   
2. Filter the assam solution (there are large seeds and long fibers) through a fine sieve so that you have particle-free assam solution. Set aside.
   
3. Heat wok with oil. Add chopped shallots and stir fry until you smell the aroma.
   
4. Add fish curry paste and curry leaves. Stir fry until you smell the fragrance of the curry, about a minute.
   
5. Add assam solution prepared in step 2 and lime juice. Bring to a boil, add the fish fillets and simmer for 2 minutes.
   
6. Flip the fish fillets to the other side with kitchen tongs. Add lady’s fingers and eggplant. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked. One minute before turning off the stove, add the tomato wedges.
   
7. Season curry with chilli powder (for the heat; instant sauce is usually not very hot), and salt or fish sauce (if not salty enough). Serve with steamed rice.