Today we are very fortunate to be able to share with you a very special Durban Fish Curry Recipe by Ms Irene Enoch, from Blessed Bakes.

Ingredients

Steenbras – 3 Middle Slices
Salt
8 Jam Tomatoes (Grated)
1 Sachet Tomato Paste
3 Red or Green Chillies (Slit)
Fresh Curry Leaves
1 Tablespoon Fish Masala
1 Tablespoon Bombay Delite Hot Masala
1 Tablespoon Pure Chilli Powder
1/2 Teaspoon of Egg Yellow
1 Onion (Finely Chopped)
8 Garlic Cloves (Skinned)
1/2 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
Crushed Jeera (Cumin Seeds)
Crushed Dhania (Coriander Seeds)
1 Teaspoon Honey
2 Tablespoons Tamarind
Dhania Leaves to Garnish

Method

Rinsed your fish and drain, sprinkle with a little salt and leave aside. (The reason for adding salt onto the fish is that I add fish at the end and most of the time the flavour of gravy goes in but has no taste)
In a bowl, add the grated tomatoes, tomato paste, chillies, curry leaves, salt, fish masala, bombay delite hot masala, chilli powder, egg yellow and then set aside.
Add your onion and garlic to hot oil, then add the mustard seeds, crushed jeera, crushed dhania and let it all fuse together to flavour your onions.
Add your grated tomatoes and all your spices into the pot. (The bowl which you set aside earlier)
Add honey & Mix
Add half a cup of hot water, mix & cover the pot to let the tomatoes cook and break down into a chutney
After ten minutes, add you fish into the chutney and baste with the chutney
Cover and let it all cook for 5 minutes on medium
Turn the fish over and repeat the process of basting, ensuring that there is still moisture in the pot
Cover and leave for 5 minutes on medium.
In a bowl add the tamarind, add little boiling water & mix to form a smooth paste. Add little more water and pour into the pot, giving a little shake as to mix but not break up the fish.
Reduce the heat on the stove to low & cover the pot with a lid
Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
Switch off the stove and leave the pot on the stove to rest
The curry should be a thick gravy. The colour would have darkened into a beautiful dark red (see photo) and you will see the oil rise to the surface of the sauce.
The fish should not be moved around in order to keep it whole.
HINT: Add your dhania when you food is warm, not hot.

Irene says that the trick to this recipe and to her cooking in general, is “not to hold back or be impatient. Do things accurately, with the right ingredients, or do not bother.”

We can clearly see that this dish was cooked with much love and with a recipe that has taken many, many years to perfect. Thanks again for sharing.

Follow Irene Enoch’s Facebook Page Blessed Bakes for more recipes, food ideas and even to order catering for your next function or event.

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