Somali Fish Curry (Mchuzi wa Samaki)
A flavorful and aromatic fish curry, popular in Somalia's coastal regions. This dish features tender fish cooked in a spiced coconut milk broth with tomatoes and fresh herbs.
🧂 Ingredients
- 600 g White fish fillets (like tilapia or cod)(cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 2 tbsp Coconut oil
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tbsp Ginger(freshly grated)
- 2 large Tomatoes(diced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1.5 tbsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 0.5 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 400 ml Full-fat coconut milk
- 1 small Jalapeño(seeded and finely chopped (optional))
- 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, plus more for garnish)
- 1 Lime(juiced)
- to taste Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat coconut oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat.
💡 Tip: Using coconut oil adds a subtle tropical flavor. - 2
Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 3
Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Add the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to coat the vegetables and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 6
Pour in the coconut milk and add the chopped jalapeño (if using). Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Ensure the heat is not too high to prevent the coconut milk from curdling. - 7
Gently add the fish pieces to the simmering sauce. Season with salt to taste.
💡 Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary. - 8
Cover the pan and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
⏱️ 10 minutes💡 Tip: The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fish fillets. - 9
Stir in the chopped cilantro and lime juice.
💡 Tip: Adding cilantro and lime at the end preserves their fresh flavor. - 10
Garnish with extra cilantro and serve hot with rice.
💡 Tip: This curry is also delicious with Somali flatbread (sabaayad) or canjeero.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a thicker sauce, you can simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes before adding the fish.
- ✓Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper or jalapeño.
- ✓If you don't have fresh ginger, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or sweet potatoes along with the tomatoes.
- Use a different type of firm white fish, such as snapper or sea bass.