This green curry coconut cod features one of my favorite techniques for cooking a protein: poaching in a vibrant sauce, this time one made from curry paste, spinach, and coconut milk. It’s a gentle cooking method that keeps the fish tender and flaky, and it dirties just one skillet (plus a blender) in the process.
Green curry paste is a time-tested shortcut to complex flavor. In dishes like this one where it plays such a central role, you’ll want to make sure to pick a good brand. I like Maesri, which has a nice level of balanced heat. If you’re using a milder curry paste, you might consider upping the quantity or serving the finished dish with a few extra chile slices scattered on top. Arrange cod with plenty of sauce over some rice and you’ve got an ideal meal to tuck into on a busy weeknight.
Read More: The Green Curry Cod I Make for a Fast, Protein-Rich Meal
What you’ll need
Green Curry Paste
$7 At Amazon
Recipe information
Total Time
35 minutes
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
1
1
1
2
1
5
1
¼
4
1
1
1
Need to make a substitution?
Preparation
Step 1
Heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add 1 shallot, coarsely chopped, and one 1" piece ginger, peeled, coarsely chopped, and cook, stirring often, until softened slightly, about 2 minutes. Add 2 (heaping) Tbsp. green curry paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant and slightly darkened in color, about 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a blender; reserve pan. Add one 13.5-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk, 5 oz. baby spinach, 1 tsp. dark or light brown sugar, and ¼ tsp. Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt to blender and blend until smooth.
Step 2
Scrape sauce into reserved pan and bring to a simmer over medium-low. Cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
Step 3
Lightly season four 5–6 oz. skinless cod fillets, patted dry, with salt and freshly ground pepper and nestle into sauce. Cover and cook at a bare simmer until fish is opaque and beginning to flake, 8–10 minutes.
Step 4
Uncover pan and drizzle 1 Tbsp. fish sauce over fish. Cut 1 lime in half; squeeze juice from 1 half over fish. Cut remaining half into wedges for serving.
Step 5
Divide steamed rice among shallow bowls. Place a fillet in each bowl and spoon some sauce over. Top with 1 red chile (such as Thai or Fresno), thinly sliced, and some cilantro leaves with tender stems. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.