Thai Seafood Curry

Written by
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt is a cookbook author and culinary teacher who specializes in Thai cuisine.
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Darlene Schmidt
Updated 08/02/19
Thai seafood curry
TheCrimsonMonkey / Getty Images
  • Total: 30 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Servings: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
617 Calories
25g Fat
79g Carbs
32g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 617
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 15g 73%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 1618mg 70%
Total Carbohydrate 79g 29%
Dietary Fiber 18g 63%
Protein 32g
Calcium 384mg 30%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

If you enjoy seafood, you'll love this sumptuous curry. The recipe starts with a healthy homemade, rather tart curry sauce that marries beautifully with fish and seafood. The sauce is heated in a wok or deep frying pan, to which an assortment of seafood and nutritious vegetables are added, plus cubes of pineapple. It's a healthy, one-pot gourmet delight that will impress your friends and family. Make it as the main course for your next potluck or dinner party.

Ingredients

  • 1 salmon (fillet fresh or frozen)
  • 2 makrut lime leaves (whole)
  • 1 small Japanese eggplant (or 1/2 Chinese eggplant, cut into bite-size chunks—be sure to leave nutritious skin on)
  • 1 bell pepper (green, chopped into bite-size pieces)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (or 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges)
  • 1 can pineapple (chunks, drained or 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into cubes)
  • 1/2 cup basil (fresh)
  • For Thai Curry Sauce:
  • 1 can coconut milk (good-quality)
  • 1 teaspoon tamarind paste (or substitute juice of 3/4 lime)
  • 1 shallot (or 1/4 cup purple onion, sliced)
  • 3-4 garlic cloves
  • 1 pieces galangal (or ginger, thumb-size thinly sliced)
  • 2 tablespoons frozen prepared lemongrass (frozen prepared, or 1 stalk fresh lemongrass)
  • 1-2 green chilies (jalapeno work fine)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek (seeds)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons cumin (ground)
  • 1 teaspoons coriander (ground)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (brown)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce

Steps to Make It

  1. Make the curry sauce by placing all curry sauce ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process well to create a fragrant Thai green curry sauce.

  2. Pour sauce into a wok or deep frying pan and add the makrut lime leaves. Set over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until sauce begins to bubble.

  3. Add all the vegetables except the basil, and stir well. Reduce heat to medium-low (so curry is gently simmering). Simmer 5-7 minutes, or until the eggplant has softened. Stir occasionally.

  4. While vegetables are simmering, rinse and cut the fish into smaller segments (e.g. 2-3 inches long). Rinse the shellfish in cold water, and remove shells from prawns. Scrub and remove beards from mussels if necessary.

  5. Add the segments of fish, stirring well to incorporate into the sauce. Cook for approximately 2 minutes.

  6. Add remaining seafood plus the pineapple, stirring gently to incorporate. Cover and continue simmering until the seafood finishes cooking (about 2 more minutes, or until prawns have turned pink and plump and the shellfish have opened).

  7. Do a taste-test. Note that Thai curries usually require more fish sauce (instead of salt) to arrive at their peak of flavor. Add 1-3 more tablespoons fish sauce according to your taste. If it turns out too salty, add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice. Add more sugar if too tart, or more fresh green chili (or a sprinkling of dried crushed red chili) if not spicy enough.

  8. Ladle the curry into a serving bowl. Sprinkle the fresh basil over, and serve with plenty of Thai jasmine rice.

*Suggested Assortment of Seafood for this Recipe (note that this recipe is very flexible - add the types of seafood you prefer, or what is available to you):

  • 1 fresh or frozen fillet of salmon

  • 1 fresh or frozen fillet of red snapper, or other white-fleshed fish

  • 6 to 8 large sea scallops, OR 1 to 1 1/2 cups small bay scallops

  • 8 to 10 medium to large shrimp/prawns

  • several handfuls mussels or clams