South Indian Style Monkfish and Lentil Curry

This dish is from my cookbook Dr Rupy COOKS. This authentic flavour combination of fresh tomatoes, mustard seeds and curry leaves takes me back to my... travels to Kerala and Goa. The addition of lentils and green beans to the tomatoes really packs in the protein and vegetables per portion, making this beautifully balanced and light. Because of the lentils, I don’t think this curry needs to be served with rice, but you can if you wish. Read more This dish is from my cookbook Dr Rupy COOKS. This authentic flavour combination of fresh tomatoes, mustard seeds and curry leaves takes me back to my travels to Kerala and Goa. The addition of lentils and green beans to the tomatoes really packs in the protein and vegetables per portion, making this beautifully balanced and light. Because of the lentils, I don’t think this curry needs to be served with rice, but you can if you wish.

Prep time
20 mins
Cook time
35 mins
FREEZER FRIENDLY
No
SHELF LIFE
3 days
Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
protein
High
fibre
Prebiotics
3+ fruits &
vegetables
Contains
Ingredients
Serves 4
For the curry paste
red chilli flakes
desiccated coconut
water
boiling
red onion
chopped
chopped
salt
black pepper
garlic cloves
peeled
For the curry
coconut oil
cumin seeds
mustard seeds
black
turmeric powder
red lentils (dried)
thoroughly washed
vegetable stock
Swaps: fish stock
monkfish fillet
Swaps: cod fillet, jumbo prawns, tiger prawns
cut into 4cm pieces
green beans
halved
roughly chopped
coconut milk (can)
star anise
curry leaves
optional
To serve
coriander
roughly chopped
lime
cut into wedges
Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
protein
High
fibre
Prebiotics
3+ fruits &
vegetables

NUTRITION PER SERVING (Read more)

542kcal
Calories
28g
Total Fat
38g
Carbs
10g
Sugars
41g
Protein
14g
Fibre
10mg
Iron
56%
 
190mg
Magnesium
45%
 
830mg
Phosporus
66%
 
1813mg
Potassium
39%
 
517mg
Sodium
22%
 
1mg
Vitamin B1
83%
 
1.4mcg
Vitamin B12
58%
 
1.4mcg
Vitamin D
7%
 
3.7mg
Vitamin E
25%
 
199mcg
Vitamin B9
50%
 
291mcg
Vitamin A
32%
 
43mg
Vitamin C
48%
 
3.7mg
Zinc
34%
 
63mcg
Vitamin K
53%
 
0.7mg
Copper
78%
 
0.4mg
Vitamin B2
31%
 
6.8mg
Vitamin B3
43%
 
0.8mg
Vitamin B6
47%
 
192mg
Calcium
15%
 
Calories: 542kcal; Total Fat: 28g; Carbs: 38g; Sugars: 10g; Protein: 41g; Fibre: 14g; Iron: 10mg (56%); Magnesium: 190mg (45%); Phosporus: 830mg (66%); Potassium: 1813mg (39%); Sodium: 517mg (22%); Vitamin B1: 1mg (83%); Vitamin B12: 1.4mcg (58%); Vitamin D: 1.4mcg (7%); Vitamin E: 3.7mg (25%); Vitamin B9: 199mcg (50%); Vitamin A: 291mcg (32%); Vitamin C: 43mg (48%); Zinc: 3.7mg (34%); Vitamin K: 63mcg (53%); Copper: 0.7mg (78%); Vitamin B2: 0.4mg (31%); Vitamin B3: 6.8mg (43%); Vitamin B6: 0.8mg (47%); Calcium: 192mg (15%)
Show more

Notes

You can use shop-bought Keralan curry paste for this if you prefer

Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
protein
High
fibre
Prebiotics
3+ fruits &
vegetables
Contains
Ingredients
Serves 4
For the curry paste
red chilli flakes
desiccated coconut
water
boiling
red onion
chopped
chopped
salt
black pepper
garlic cloves
peeled
For the curry
coconut oil
cumin seeds
mustard seeds
black
turmeric powder
red lentils (dried)
thoroughly washed
vegetable stock
Swaps: fish stock
monkfish fillet
Swaps: cod fillet, jumbo prawns, tiger prawns
cut into 4cm pieces
green beans
halved
roughly chopped
coconut milk (can)
star anise
curry leaves
optional
To serve
coriander
roughly chopped
lime
cut into wedges
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Ingredients

Serves 4
For the curry paste
red chilli flakes
desiccated coconut
water
boiling
red onion
chopped
chopped
salt
black pepper
garlic cloves
peeled
For the curry
coconut oil
cumin seeds
mustard seeds
black
turmeric powder
red lentils (dried)
thoroughly washed
vegetable stock
Swaps: fish stock
monkfish fillet
Swaps: cod fillet, jumbo prawns, tiger prawns
cut into 4cm pieces
green beans
halved
roughly chopped
coconut milk (can)
star anise
curry leaves
optional
To serve
coriander
roughly chopped
lime
cut into wedges

Method

Your notes

1. Gather and prepare your ingredients.

2. For the curry paste, soak the dried chillies and coconut in the boiling water for 10 minutes. Tip the soaked chillies and coconut, along with the water, into a food processor or blender with the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

3. Heat the coconut oil in a heavy-based saucepan over a medium-low heat. Add the star anise, cumin and mustard seeds, turmeric, curry leaves, if using, with seasoning, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the curry paste and fry for 5 minutes,
stirring continuously, until it thickens and intensifies in flavour.

4. Add the lentils, coconut milk and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 20 minutes until the lentils are soft.

5.
Add the monkfish, green beans and spinach and cook for a further 8 minutes or until the monkfish is just cooked through.

6. To serve, spoon the curry into bowls, scatter over the chopped coriander and garnish with lime wedges for squeezing.

Notes

You can use shop-bought Keralan curry paste for this if you prefer

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User comments (8)

Angie 3 weeks ago

Excellent! Mild curry. Would work with any mild fish, shrimp. Lots of left over.

marion 2 months ago

So tasty.

Tracy 2 months ago

Lovely, tiny bit too aniseed for us, but personal choice. Else would have given 5 stars

Becky 5 months ago

Loved this recipe. I did sub out the coconut milk for powdered coconut and used a packet of lentils 250g but it was super tasty.

Malik 5 months ago

Another great lentil dish, the heat was pretty much perfect. Used tenderstem instead. The monkfish surprisingly was the least fave bit for me (1st try of this fish ever). Think I'll certainly have it again with other seafood. Thanks again

Jo 5 months ago

Absolutely delicious. So filling! Xx

Fiona 6 months ago

Hearty, warming curry. Worth the effort with the blending/making the curry paste.

Milind 6 months ago

Method advises soaking dried chillies, but ingredients refer to ‘chilli flakes’. We used the former (dried kashmiri chillies) and got a great tasting meal.

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