Sri Lankan Fish Curry – Maalu Kirata

Malu Kirata or Maalu Kirata is one of the popular types of Sri Lankan fish curry. The curry is mildly spiced and coconut milk-based. It's flavourful and completely satisfying when served with hot steam rice. In this recipe, we have used Kingfish, but there are no restrictions. You can use any fish that you like. We have sauteed shallots, green chilies, unroasted curry powder, turmeric powder, and other ingredients for this curry. This is then cooked along with coconut milk and combined with marinated fish. You guys will definitely love this recipe, it's mild, rich, and creamy.

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
Skip to content