Sunday 26 February 2017

Curried Swordfish Steak on Turmeric Rice

Curried swordfish and sauteed bell peppers on turmeric herb rice

Swordfish was at one time only available in very specific parts of the world where the fish could be caught fresh. In modern times, however, with vacuum packing and freezing techniques, it can often and very easily be purchased online for delivery right to your door. The swordfish steak used in this recipe was bought in just such a way as part of a larger exotic meats and fish package.

The swordfish steak should be defrosted completely in the fridge overnight before being cooked.

Swordfish fillet is patted in curry powder and seasonings

Ingredients (Serves 1)

6 ounce skinless and boneless swordfish steak
2 teaspoons medium curry powder
Salt and pepper
4 ounces (half cup) or as desired basmati rice
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
Vegetable oil for frying
2 teaspoons freshly chopped coriander leaf (cilantro) plus extra to garnish
1 garlic clove
Small handful mixed bell pepper slices

Seasoned swordfish is left to dry marinate

Directions

Spoon the curry powder in to a flat bottomed bowl or on to a small plate. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Pat the swordfish carefully all over in the powder to evenly coat, cover and leave to dry marinade for at least half an hour.

Rice is simmered in turmeric water

Put the turmeric in to a large pot and add around half a teaspoon of salt. Pour in plenty of boiling water and bring back to a simmer. Wash the  rice thoroughly through a sieve under running cold water at your sink and add to the simmering water. Stir briefly but well and bring back to a simmer for ten minutes.

Swordfish fillet is laid in frying pan

When the rice simmering time is almost up, pour a couple of tablespoons of oil in to a frying pan and bring it up to a medium heat. Add the swordfish to fry for an initial three minutes.

Swordfish fillet is turned to fry on second side

Drain the rice through the sieve at your sink and set it aside to steam off for a few minutes. Turn the swordfish steak to fry for three further minutes on the second side.

Garlic and seasonings are added to drained rice

Tip the rice back in to the empty pot and add the chopped coriander (cilantro). Peel the garlic clove and grate it in to the rice. Season with black pepper and stir well to combine the seasonings evenly.

Bell pepper strips are quickly sauteed in hot frying pan

Lift the swordfish steak to a heated plate to rest for a couple of minutes while you stir fry the peppers (seasoned with a little more salt and pepper) in the vacated pan for a couple of minutes.

Swordfish fillet is laid on rice bed

Arrange the rice on a suitable plate to form a bed for the fish and lay the swordfish steak on top.

Sauteed peppers are made to top swordfish

Lift the pepper slices on to the swordfish with cooking tongs, garnish with the last of the coriander and serve immediately.

Cutting in to curried swordfish steak

Friday 10 February 2017

Curried Pork Fillets with Turmeric Potatoes

Pan fried curried pork fillets with turmeric potatoes, chickpeas and spicy sauce

Pork is probably not a meat we often find in the average restaurant or supermarket curry. Why that should be the case, I'm really not sure but the truth is it works very well in almost any type of curried dish. This incredibly simple recipe sees the pork fillets dry marinated in curry powder before being fried in the normal way.

Curry powder is scattered over pork fillets

Ingredients per Person

2 pork fillets
1 tablespoon medium strength (or as desired) curry powder
Vegetable oil for frying
3 tablespoons plain yoghurt
1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
1 teaspoon medium chilli powder
1 teaspoon mint sauce
4 or 5 medium to large baby potatoes
1 teaspoon powdered turmeric
Salt and pepper
1 ounce (1/4 stick) butter
1 tablespoon freshly chopped coriander leaf (cilantro), plus extra to garnish
8 ounce can chickpeas in water
1 garlic clove

Combining spicy sauce ingredients

Directions

Scatter the curry powder on a dinner plate and pat the pork fillets in it on both sides to ensure even coating. Cover and leave for an hour to dry marinate.

Spicy tomato and mint sauce

Put the yoghurt, ketchup, chilli powder and mint sauce in to a bowl. Stir well, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until required.

Boiling potatoes in turmeric water

Wash the potatoes but don't peel them and cut them in half. Add them to a pot with the turmeric powder and some salt. Pour in enough cold water to ensure the potatoes are comfortably covered and bring to a simmer for twenty minutes or until the potatoes are just softened.

Frying curried pork fillets

When the potatoes are on to cook, pour a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil in to a small frying pan and bring it up to a medium heat. Season the pork fillets further with some salt and pepper and fry over a low to medium heat for ten minutes each side or until done. Push the pan to a cool part of your stove and leave the fillets to rest while the remaining preparation is completed.

Butter and coriander is added to turmeric potatoes

Drain the potatoes through a colander or sieve and return them to the empty pot. Add the butter and half the tablespoon of coriander. Gently swirl the pot to evenly coat.

Garlic and coriander leaf are added to chickpeas

Drain the chickpeas through a sieve and rinse under running cold water. Add them to a pot of boiling water for two minutes before draining again. Return them to the empty pot and add the second half tablespoon of coriander. Peel the garlic clove and grate it in to the pot before stirring carefully but well.

Curried pork fillets, turmeric potatoes and chickpeas

Lay the pork fillets on a serving plate before adding the potatoes and chickpeas. Spoon the sauce over the pork and garnish with the last of the coriander to serve.

Spicy sauce is spooned over curried pork fillets