Vietnamese style Fish Curry with Rice Noodles

There was this good Vietnamese restaurant (for those of you who live in the area) called Taste of Saigon which we used to frequent for all special occasions. As with everything we stopped going there and when I noticed it it has been 10 years or so. Recently I looked up the location to go there again and all I saw was this news. After all this time all I can remember was the food was very good but one specific food memory is of Vermicelli Fish Curry. Though they called it Vermicelli it was more like rice noodles. A brothy fish curry with rice noodles.

I have been making this recipe in my head for a while now until I finally settled on making it last weekend. I was also ready to use the earthen ware pot my friend had given me. My mom successfully uses it to often to make fish curries. Nothing like cooking fish curry in a mud pot.

The curry itself is very simple. Keep handy either home made or store bought curry powder and coconut milk. I used meat masala powder which is the latest curry powder I am using. Chicken Masala Powder, Chicken Masala Powder or just plain curry powder are all variations of the ground spices. I use them interchangeably. As for you vegetarians be assured that meat masala powder or chicken masala powder does not mean they carry any sort of meat or chicken in them. Be assured they as vegetarian as they come. Meat or chicken just means it can be added to meat or chicken dishes.

The rest of the ingredients minus the fish are what anyone would normally have around the house.

Vietnamese fish curry would have benefited greatly in the aroma department by the addition of lemon grass. I usually do not have these and my nearest international market did not have it either. Use it if you have it and there is no great harm done by skipping it.

Heat oil and add the seasonings. Add the shallots and saute till translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and saute for a couple of minutes.
Add the spice powders - turmeric, chili and curry powder and mix. Add in the chopped tomatoes.
Add the tamarind pulp and let it come to a boil.
Reduce the heat and salt and add in the coconut milk while continuing to stir. Reduce the heat and let it simmer in low heat till the required consistency is reached.
Add the fish pieces and let it cook for 8-10 minutes by which the fish should be cooked. Add the coriander leaves and let cook for a couple of minutes more and turn off the heat.
Cook the noodles. Add the fish curry to the bowl first and then topped with the noodles.
Sprinkle coriander leaves and coarsely crushed peanuts.

As for the noodles or just plain steamed rice? This is a personal preference.

Vietnamese style Fish Curry with Rice Noodles
Preparation Time:15 minutes
Cooking Time:35 minutes
Ingredients

1. 8 Hake loins - fish (I used frozen, use any firm white fleshed fish) (see note:)
2. 1/2 cup of chopped shallots or red onion
3. lemon grass pounded about 4-5 1 inch pieces (I did not use them)
4. 1/4 cup of finely chopped tomatoes
5. 6-8 sliced or whole garlic cloves
6. 1/2 tbsp grated ginger
7. 1 heaped tbsp of curry powder
8. 1/2 tbsp of red chili powder
9. 2 tsp of turmeric powder
10. 1 1/2 cups of thick coconut milk (use lighter or as little as you want)
11. 1/2 cup of tamarind pulp from a small lime sized ball of tamarind
12. salt to taste
13. 2 handful of coriander leaves (one handful for garnish while serving)
14. 3 tbsp of coarsely pounded roasted peanuts for garnish
15. seasonings: cumin seeds, mustard seeds
16. 2 tsp of oil

Method

1. Wash the fish and cut them into bite sized pieces and set aside.
2. In the pot heat oil and add the cumin and mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds pop add the shallots and saute till they turn translucent.
3. Add in the garlic and ginger and saute for a couple of minutes more. Add the pounded lemon grass at this time also.
4. Add the turmeric, chili and the curry powders and mix it in.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and saute for 3-4 minutes till it starts to turn mushy.
6. Add in the tamarind pulp and let it come to a boil about 4 minutes or so.
7. Now reduce the heat and salt and the coconut milk while continuing to stir and let it simmer in low heat till the gravy reaches a thick consistency (about 8 minutes) (see note:)
8. Add the fish pieces and let it simmer for another 8-10 minutes. The fish should be cooked by this time.
9. Add the coriander leaves simmer for a couple of minutes more and turn of the heat.
Note:
10. It is preferable to use de-boned fish rather than fish with bones.
11. When cooking fish be aware that when fish is added to the curry it leaves water which makes the curry watery so it is important to cook the gravy first to a consistency thicker than required then add the fish.
12. Cooking the curry for a long time will either make it rubbery or completely dissolve in the curry.

Cooking the noodles

1. Cook the rice noodles as per the directions, rinse in cold water. Drain and set aside.
   

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