Sri Lankan Fish Curry – Maalu Kirata

CategoryDifficultyIntermediate
Yields2 Servings
Prep Time10 minsCook Time30 minsTotal Time40 mins
Unroasted Curry Powder
 4 tbsp Coriander Seeds
 2 tbsp Cumin Seeds
 1 tbsp Fennel Seeds
 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
 3 - 4 inch, Cinnamon
Fish Marination
 700 g Kingfish/Mackerel/Fish of your choice
 ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
 1 tsp Salt
Fish Curry
 5 tbsp Coconut Oil
 ½ tsp Mustard
 ½ tsp Cumin
 ¼ tsp Fenugreek Seeds
 1 inch, Ginger
 6 Garlic, cloves
 1 Onion, medium
 10 - 15, Curry Leaves
 2.50 cups Coconut Milk
 ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
 1 tsp Chili Powder
 1 inch, Cinnamon
 ½ tsp Black Pepper powder
 ½ Lime Juice
1

In a mixing bowl, Add in 700gms of Fish. To this add turmeric powder and salt. Coat all the pieces well and Marinate for 15 mins.

2

To make the Sri Lankan unroasted curry powder, Grind Coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, and Cinnamon to a fine powder.

3

In a pan, add in coconut oil, and once the oil is hot add in the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds. let them all splutter.

4

Now add the sliced onions and cook till its light golden brown. Once the onions are golden brown add in curry leaves and cook it for a minute.

5

Now add Garlic, Ginger, and Cinnamon cook it for 2 mins. Add in Turmeric powder, Chilli powder and 1 tbsp of ground unroasted curry powder. Cook all the spices till the raw smell goes away.

6

Add Coconut Milk and salt. Combine them all well and Bring the curry to a boil.

7

To the curry add the marinated Fish, Chillies and Pandan leave. Cover and simmer it for 10 mins.

8

Do a taste check and Switch off the flame. Allow the curry to rest for 10 mins.

9

After 10 mins, Add half lime juice and give it a gentle mix.

10

Maalu Kirata is now ready. Serve it with some hot rice.

Ingredients

Unroasted Curry Powder
 4 tbsp Coriander Seeds
 2 tbsp Cumin Seeds
 1 tbsp Fennel Seeds
 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
 3 - 4 inch, Cinnamon
Fish Marination
 700 g Kingfish/Mackerel/Fish of your choice
 ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
 1 tsp Salt
Fish Curry
 5 tbsp Coconut Oil
 ½ tsp Mustard
 ½ tsp Cumin
 ¼ tsp Fenugreek Seeds
 1 inch, Ginger
 6 Garlic, cloves
 1 Onion, medium
 10 - 15, Curry Leaves
 2.50 cups Coconut Milk
 ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
 1 tsp Chili Powder
 1 inch, Cinnamon
 ½ tsp Black Pepper powder
 ½ Lime Juice

Directions

1

In a mixing bowl, Add in 700gms of Fish. To this add turmeric powder and salt. Coat all the pieces well and Marinate for 15 mins.

2

To make the Sri Lankan unroasted curry powder, Grind Coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, and Cinnamon to a fine powder.

3

In a pan, add in coconut oil, and once the oil is hot add in the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds. let them all splutter.

4

Now add the sliced onions and cook till its light golden brown. Once the onions are golden brown add in curry leaves and cook it for a minute.

5

Now add Garlic, Ginger, and Cinnamon cook it for 2 mins. Add in Turmeric powder, Chilli powder and 1 tbsp of ground unroasted curry powder. Cook all the spices till the raw smell goes away.

6

Add Coconut Milk and salt. Combine them all well and Bring the curry to a boil.

7

To the curry add the marinated Fish, Chillies and Pandan leave. Cover and simmer it for 10 mins.

8

Do a taste check and Switch off the flame. Allow the curry to rest for 10 mins.

9

After 10 mins, Add half lime juice and give it a gentle mix.

10

Maalu Kirata is now ready. Serve it with some hot rice.

Notes

Sri Lankan Fish Curry – Maalu Kirata
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