Rui's turmeric fish with masala dhal

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1teaspoonSalt
Juice 1 lime
1teaspoonTurmeric powder
4Skinned pomfret or sea bass fillets; (175-225g)
3tablespoonsVegetable oil
250gramsRed lentils
600millilitresWater
225gramsOnions
175millilitresGhee or clarified butter
2Garlic cloves; finely chopped
For the Masala Dhal:; (cont)
225gramsTomatoes
1tablespoonTurmeric powder
1teaspoonChilli powder
150millilitresCoconut milk
15gramsBlack mustard seeds
Cm fresh root ginger; finely chopped
2Green chillies; seeded and finely
; chopped
A pinch of asafoetida; (optional)
3tablespoonsRoughly chopped coriander
Salt

Directions

FOR THE MASALA DHAL

1 For the Dhal: Cover the lentils with water and leave to soak. Coarsely chop half the onions and finely chop the rest. Cut half the tomatoes into small chunks and finely dice the rest.

2 Heat half the ghee or clarified butter in a heavy-based pan. Fry the garlic, coarsely chopped onions and tomato chunks for five minutes, until the mixture has cooked to a golden brown paste.

3 Pour in the lentils and their soaking water and boil. Add the turmeric, chilli and coconut milk and simmer for 30 minutes or until the lentils have broken down and the mixture thickened.

4 Season with salt and remove from the heat. To finish the dhal, heat the rest of the ghee or butter in a large deep frying pan. Add the mustard seeds, cover the pan with a lid and fry until beginning to pop.

5 Add the ginger, onions and tomatoes, green chillies and asafoetida, if using. Cook for five minutes, pour all into the lentil mixture and stir well. Keep hot while you fry the fish.

6 Mix the salt, lime juice and turmeric together and rub into the fillets.

Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan, add the fillets and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side. Stir the coriander into the dhal and serve with the fish.

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Recipe by: Rick Stein

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