Fish Curry With Star Anise
I simply love listening to talk radio on my long commutes during the day. It doesn’t matter to me if the talk revolves around politics, religion, or money – it doesn’t matter to me if I am for or against whatever the topic might be – I simply love listening to talk radio! My daughter thinks I have issues; but, I think the talking keeps me alert because, unlike the lyrics to a song, I have no clue what might be said next.
Take yesterday, for instance, one radio host had listeners call in and answer this question: “If you could forget about one chore for the rest of your life – while doubling up on another, what would those respective chores be?” People called in offering to forget about doing dishes, laundry, paying bills, etc.; but, the second part of that question remained unanswered.
For the rest of my drive, I couldn’t stop speculating about that second part of the question. Now, there aren’t a whole lot of chores I detest, and the ones I love, I am not sure I would want to double up on, so to speak. I love the mental wind-down cooking gives me, but I am not sure I’d want to cook 2 full meals every night after work; I also happen to love yard-work; but, I live in a tiny house on almost an acre of land – that’s a lot of land to mow X 2 -with a pushmower! And then it hit me!
This month’s Recipe Redux challenge for members was to look through our cabinets and find an “ingredient/spice/condiment” that had been forgotten about and “give it the attention it needs”. Well, I get around to cleaning out my spice cabinet maybe twice a year – sometimes even less (shame on me -huh?!). Oftentimes, I wish I cleaned it out more as I seem to find forgotten treasures in there when I do – only, by then they have passed their expiry date. Now, if I could double up on cleaning out my spice cabinet, I would remember to use the Star Anise I found stashed in the back of it, more often!
Most of my exposure to star anise has been in savory dishes like rice-bryani and chicken and fish curries. While star anise is said to have numerous health benefits -from alleviating respiratory tract infections to digestive issues to colic in babies- I just happen to love the subtle flavor it ads to curries like this fish one.
[Tweet “Fish Curry with Star Anise @RunninSrilankan #RecipeRedux”]
Here’s hoping y’all give this a try, because, in my humble opinion, spiced up fish is wonderful to end the day with!
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 2 teaspoons cayenne
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 4 pieces fish of your choice I used tilapia
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 inch piece of ginger chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 pieces star anise
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can of coconut milk 13.5 fl oz
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix together the paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and turmeric and rub into both sides of the fish fillets.
- Add olive oil to a pan and when warm, add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger and saute for about 10-12 minutes over a medium flame
- Add the spice coated fish fillets and saute for about 3 minutes on one side.
- Flip the fish over and then add the tomato paste, star anise, and coconut milk and let sauce simmer down for about 10-12 minutes.
- Serve warm - with rice or naan or roti
Today I leave y’all with two things –
First: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all y’alls incredibly kind comments, emails and Facebook messages on my last post – I am always blown away by how lucky I am to be part of this amazing blogging community! You guys – you guys – ROCK!
And, second; if you could forget about one chore for the rest of your life – while doubling up on another, what would those respective chores be?
Can I come over and join you for the dinner? This is the BEST fish curry I have ever seen.
Come on over anytime! 🙂
Thanks so much Angie!
I have to agree with Angie, that is one good looking fish curry. I love the spice combo, especially the use of the star anise.
One word: AWESMAZING!
Thanks so much, my spice-loving friend!
You know what? I have actually never had Fish Curry….BUT NOW I MUST HAVE IT EVERY DAY. I love star anise, so I’m hoping you’ll hop on a plane and make this for me for dinner? 😉 Pinned!
I am boarding my flight NOW…. 🙂
Thanks Lady! xx
Hmmm…chores. That’s a tough one. I’m going to have to say I’d give up on yardwork in the Fall and Winter. (That means endless leaf blowing and snow blowing.) And I would double-up on laundry. Not that I like doing laundry or anything. But it beats the heck out of loading leaves on a tarp and dragging them to the back of our property. I hate that!! Who knew leaves could get so darned heavy?? I’m also loving this fish curry. I must admit that fish curry wouldn’t be up my alley normally, but you make it look so delicious! Also, I appreciate talk radio…but I think lil Shashi might be right here. 😉
I know what you mean – I loathe blowing/raking leaves too – sometimes, (and this is really bad) but, towards the end of fall, I just let the last leaves to drop stay on the ground and then just mow over them in Spring! 🙂
Haha – I will let Lil Shashi know …wait…no. no I won’t!
Thanks David!
I would GLADY give up cleaning the bathroom and double up on doing the dishes or vacuuming. I enjoy both of those chores, but bathroom duty? NO. No, no, no. Cooking fancy dinners every night would be something I could go without, too, but since I’m only cooking for myself right now, that’s not something I really have to worry about yet. Breakfast for dinner, anyone?
Oh my gawsh – you would be my IDEAL roommate!!! I loathe dishes but love a clean bathroom and LURVE cooking dinner..it’s my way of winding down!
I adore star anise! I would double up on recipe testing for sure. PS I’m going overseas on Thursday and won’t be able to visit while we are away 🙂
Thanks so much Tandy!
Safe travels dear! xx
Fish makes the most amazing curry, doesn’t it? This looks fabulous! Love this recipe — thanks.
You sure are right! Thank you!
I personally have never cooked with star anise at home yet, but this recipe has me really excited to! Fish curry is right up my alley 🙂
I hope you give it a go, Alanna! Thank you!
ok after seeing this recipe I realized that I cook my fish plain and boring, we eat fish at least once a week, this would be such a nice change of routine, so much more flavor, and all that delicious curry sauce for dipping. Pinning it when I get home, won’t let me do it from work. 🙁
Thanks so much Katalina!
YOU MADE THIS FOR ME now DIDNT YOU! 😉
YOU BET!!!! 😉
hmmm, I don’t know what chore I dislike the most. My husband is really sweet about doing the things I don’t like…anywho, this curry! YUM! I love that you used star anise – it’s one of my favorite spices, so exotic!
Thanks Marissa! I luv that star anise smells good, tastes good and looks good too! 🙂
anise and fish? oh my i will have to try. I really like your creativity with fish. Such a good combo! love it, love you!
Lady – you know you are the sizzling fish guru! <3 you too! xx
If I could make this right now…I would! Amazing curry!
Thanks Rebecca!
I love everything about this meal! The flavors are incredible and I love that it is perfect for weeknights too.
Thanks so much Ashley!
Ah…you know my love for curry! <3 I've never actually made curry with fish before though! I'm gonna need to try that! 😀
If I didn't have to clean bathrooms, I'd double up on doing laundry! This is why living with my friend would have been so perfect–he hates laundry and I hate bathroom-cleaning. :O He was gonna pay for groceries/pay me to make food for the both of us too!), but he picked a dude over me. Hater. ;_;
Farrah – you know he couldn’t deal with your hawtness!!!! 🙂
Btw – you gotta try fish curry! Its. so. good.
I am in love with these pics. This dish looks super mouthwatering… and I am a fan of curries. Pinned!!!
Thanks so much Denise!
I almost missed your big announcement – congratulations!!
Dusting is my least favorite chore and I would double up on….Not sure since I feel like I double up on all of the cleaning ones at the venue – this is another 3x cleaning week!!!
Oh my gosh – wow – Kim – you have your hands full!!!
Oh, and thank you! xx
I love curries and its only breakfast time here in Hong Kong and I would love to do face plant in that pan right now. Fish curry with star anise gorgeous flavours and spices. It has lots of warming spices too and for me that is a very good thing! See the glory of having teenagers is that you never truly need to have to give up a chore you just make that their role now… LOL
Thanks Bobbi! I need to get my daughter to read your comment… 😉
Oooo that’s a really tough question! I can easily think of things I’d give up (like washing dishes!) but I’m not sure what I’d want to double up on. Maybe vacuuming … for some reason I don’t mind vacuuming!!
If I had more carpets, I would invite you over…:)
I like star anise and often use it in a curry. I also toss one in the pot when I’m making rice. It comes out with the best aroma.
Your curry is beautiful to look at !
I love their aroma too, Maureen! Thank You!
If I could double up on chores it would definitely be a.) cooking meals for my loved ones and b.) rearranging and organizing my bookshelf, because I love love love doing that. I would give up doing the dishes… someone else can take care of that for me, haha!! This fish curry sounds wonderful- I love the addition of star anise!
Thanks Genevieve! I will do your dishes – if I can partake in your meals 🙂
I love star anise! What a beautiful fish curry with wonderful flavours I’m sure. How lucky to live on an acre of land – I think I’m living on 1/8th of an acre! xx
Thanks Charlie!
I am actually hoping to downgrade to 1/8th of an acre – this is a lot of land to maintain – funny how we always want the opposite of what we have 🙂 xx
I so need this fish curry dish, it’s just lovely! Can I stop doing the dishes and double up on my cooking? 🙂 Nah, that wouldn’t work would it? 😉
I am all in favor of you doubling up on your cooking – specially if you send some of your leftovers over the pond to me! 🙂
Thanks Neil!
I yet have to try fish curry…and being the ingredients I know I will enjoy this dish very much…looks delicious Shashi!
Enjoy your week 🙂
Oh Juliana – fish curry is a must try! Thank you! Hope you have a wonderful week too!
I absolutely LOVE the flavors of star anise! Such a great idea to add it to a curry!
Thanks Lisa!
Hehe you are so funny! A lot of talk back here is very conservative so I tend to steer clear of that! I’m a big star anise fan 😀
Star Anise are gorgeous!
omg YES. The only time I’ve had a fish curry was in a hotel in Malaysia…add this to the HOTlanta consumption list!
When are you coming to HOTlanta???
Btw – thanks bunches Arman!
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Such exciting news—you deserve this happiness! Your fish curry is just gorgeous—and star anise is the most beautiful spice, isn’t it???
Thank you so much Liz! It is a GORGEOUS spice indeed! 🙂
I know it is early, but I can defilitely have some right now 🙂 Looks flavorful ad delicious! Love it!
Thank you so much Mira!
I can almost taste all of the flavors here through the screen! Love curry dishes!
Thanks Ashley!
I love to listen to radio programmes (and podcasts too) while I’m doing other things, too, Shashi. You’ve got me thinking about that second question too now, though! I must admit I don’t mind washing cars … but then I don’t have a car at the moment … lol!
I’m also with you on loving the fish curries! Time to make one again soon … and add star anise. Apart from anything else they’re so pretty!
Helen…my car is super dirty…just saying 🙂
What a great idea for fish!
What a super flavorful fish dish – gotta try this one!
The flavors were great. I have several suggested revisions – (1) Add a tsp of salt to the spice mixture. (2) Stir the tomato paste into the coconut milk. (3) Season both sides of this and let marinate about 1 hour. (4) Instead of adding the fish into the onion mixture do this: Add one tbs of the oil to the pan, when it reaches medium temperature, fry the seasoned fish on both side about three minutes each side and set aside. Add the remaining TBS of oil to the pan and add the chopped onion, garlic and ginger and sauce for about 10 -12 minutes, stir frequently. When slightly brown, stir in the coconut with tomato paste and star anise. Let the sauce simmer down until it’s reduced about 1/3 then add the fish. Continue simmering with the fish for about 10 minutes.