Red Curry Tilapia with Coconut Sauce Recipe

Spice up Tilapia with Red Curry

When wanting a slightly less healthy, but fragrantly delicious version of tilapia the answer is always easy. Red curry, combined with fresh basil and coconut milk always wins. Reduce the calories by using light coconut milk without sacrificing flavor. Serve over brown rice rather than white rice to experience an interesting combination of flavors. Tilapia with Coconut Red Curry Sauce
Serves 4

Ingredients  4 teaspoons canola oil 4 6-oz. tilapia fillets 1 cup coarsely chopped onion 1 cup chopped green onions (white and green parts) 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger (grate on a cheese grater) 1 13.5 ounce can light coconut milk 1 tablespoon brown sugar (white sugar can be substituted but the flavor’s not as interesting) 1 tablespoon fish sauce 4 teaspoons hot red curry paste (I use Patak but any tomato/cumin based hot red curry paste works) 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 2 teaspoon fresh lime juice (bottled can be substituted for fresh)

Advance Preparation

• Assemble all ingredients next to stove. This is a fast-cooking meal.
• Chop onion, green onion and grate ginger.  Combine and set aside in the same prep bowl.
• Measure sugar into a separate prep bowl.
• Gather measuring spoons, ground coriander, fish sauce and curry paste.

Cook…

…Fish. Heat half of the canola oil* in a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the tilapia fillets; cook ten minutes, flipping/turning frequently, and cook until fish flakes easily. It’s not necessary to keep the fillets intact. Remove fish from pan and set aside (keep warm).

…Curry Sauce. Heat remaining oil in pan. Add onions (both) and ginger; sauté until translucent. Stir in coconut milk with sugar, fish sauce, curry paste, and coriander. Stir continually until this begins to simmer. Add fish and stir. Remove from heat. (If your preference is for spicy, increase the curry paste one or two teaspoons.)

…Finish. Stir in chopped basil and fresh squeeze lime juice (bottle will work but not as tasty).

...Serve: Over favorite rice. I tend to serve over brown rice, but jasmine or cooked rice sticks complement this flavorful rice.

*If you don’t use a non-stick pan you will need to double the oil or the fish will stick to the pan.

Wine Complement: 

Sparkling white, Sparkling Shiraz, favorite dry Gewurztraminer. Works nicely with sparkling water with a fresh lime juice and cucumber slice, or pineapple juice mixed half with sparkling water.

Nutritional Information:

Calories   563, Calories from fat    308, Total fat:  34.2 g, Saturate fat  22.1 g., Cholesterol 111 mg, Sodium 754 mg, Total carbohydrates 19.7 g, Dietary fiber 5.0 g, Sugars 9.5 g, Protein 46.6 g, Vitamin A 17%, Vitamin C 40%, Calcium 19%, Iron 21%. (Nutritional information and recipe analysis from Calorie Count.About)