Pan-Seared White Fish with Curry Leaf Paste and Coconut Greens

Flaky white fish quickly seared and coated in a pungent curry leaf-garlic paste, served alongside tender greens cooked in coconut milk.
- Prep: 10 min
- Cook: 15 min
- Total: 25 min
- Servings: 2
- Cuisine: Sri Lankan
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: $4.40/serving
Dietary
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Nut-Free
- Soy-Free
- Egg-Free
- Pescatarian
- Keto
- Paleo
- Low-Carb
- High-Protein
- Low-Sugar
Tags
- sauté
- fry
- quick
- fresh
- healthy
Ingredients
- 0.75 pound firm white fish fillets
- 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
- 10 fresh curry leaves
- 2 clove garlic (minced)
- 0.5 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 0.25 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 0.13 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.5 lime (medium, juiced)
- 4 ounce baby spinach
- 0.25 cup light coconut milk
Instructions
- Pat 3/4 pound firm white fish fillets dry with paper towels.
- In a small food processor or by hand, mince 10 fresh curry leaves with 2 cloves garlic and 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger to form a paste. Mix in 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and juice from 0.5 medium lime.
- Spread the curry leaf paste evenly over both sides of the fish fillets.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the fish fillets. Sear for 3-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden brown and cooked through.
- While fish cooks, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add 4 ounces baby spinach and cook until just wilted (about 2 minutes).
- Pour 1/4 cup light coconut milk over the spinach and simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Serve the pan-seared white fish with the coconut greens immediately.
Notes
Ensure your fish fillets are about 1-inch thick for quick and even cooking. Do not overcook to keep the fish tender and flaky.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 395
- Protein: 52.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.3 g
- Fat: 15.6 g
- Fiber: 3.7 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Saturated Fat: 5.9 g
- Sugar: 3.1 g
- Cholesterol: 126 mg