Thai Fish Curry
This vibrant Southern Thai fish curry delivers an explosion of bold, tangy flavors with tender fish swimming in aromatic coconut broth. Made with fresh turmeric, lemongrass, and chilies, this authentic curry brings the essence of Thailand's southern coast to your kitchen in under an hour.
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Servings: 6
Calories: 485kcal
Ingredients
For the Curry Paste:
- 20 g dried Thai chilies
- 1 head garlic
- 4 stalks lemongrass
- 2 fingers fresh turmeric or 2 tsp ground
- 1 tbsp shrimp paste
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
For the Curry:
- 800 g firm white fish barracuda or snapper, cut into chunks
- 800 ml coconut cream
- 1500 ml coconut milk
- 20 kaffir lime leaves
- 2 tbsp salt
Instructions
- Soak dried chilies in warm water for 15 minutes until softened, then drain.
- Pound or blend chilies, garlic, lemongrass, turmeric, shrimp paste, and black peppercorns in a mortar and pestle or food processor until a smooth paste forms.
- In a large pot, bring coconut milk and coconut cream to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Add curry paste and stir well to combine, simmering for 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Add kaffir lime leaves and continue simmering for another 5 minutes.
- Gently add fish pieces to the curry and cook for 8-10 minutes until fish is just cooked through.
- Season with salt and adjust to taste.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice or rice noodles.
Notes
Fresh turmeric gives the most authentic flavor and vibrant color - substitute with 2 tsp ground turmeric if unavailable
Choose firm fish like barracuda, snapper, or cod that won't fall apart during cooking
Make curry paste ahead and freeze for up to 3 months for convenience
Adjust spice level by increasing or decreasing dried chilies according to preference
Don't overcook the fish - it should be just opaque and flaky when done
Curry tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together
Substitute fish sauce for shrimp paste if needed, using 2 tbsp instead
Nutrition
Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 1240mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g