Cod and Tomato Rice with Toasted Spices
Cod fillets simmered in a warm, gently spiced tomato and coconut sauce, served over rice that soaks up every drop. A mild, comforting one-pan braise.
- Total
- 40 min
- Prep 10 · Cook 25 · Rest 5
- Serves
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
You'll practice: Toasting spices · Simmering
- Savory
- Indian
- Mild
- Stovetop
- Oven
Instructions
-
Rinse the rice under cold water until it runs clear, then put it in the saucepan with 150 ml water and a pinch of the salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low until the water is absorbed and the grains are tender, about 15 minutes. Take it off the heat and leave it covered to steam.
~15 min
Rinsing removes surface starch so grains stay separate; covering traps steam for even cooking.
-
While step 1 cooks
While the rice cooks, roughly chop the tomatoes into 2 cm pieces and grate or finely chop the ginger. Measure the turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, curry powder and cinnamon into a small pile.
~5 min
-
Heat the vegetable oil in the frying pan over medium heat. Add the ginger and the spices and stir constantly for 45 seconds, until fragrant and darkened slightly. Do not let them burn.
~2 min
Toasting spices in oil blooms their fat-soluble flavors, making the braise taste deeper and more aromatic.
Toasting the ground spices in the oil for under a minute is what gives this braise its warm depth; pull them off the heat the moment they smell nutty, because they turn bitter fast.
Toasting spices Stir constantly over medium heat for 45 seconds until fragrant and slightly darkened. Pull off the heat the moment they smell nutty; they burn and turn bitter fast.
-
Add the tomatoes and the remaining salt and black pepper to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until the tomatoes collapse and release their juices. Pour in the coconut milk and simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
~8 min
Simmering tomatoes breaks them down and concentrates flavor; coconut milk thickens the sauce so it clings to the fish.
Simmering Keep the liquid at a gentle bubble, not a rolling boil, so the sauce reduces without scorching and the fish cooks evenly. Adjust heat as needed.
-
Pat the cod fillets dry and nestle them into the sauce. Cover and simmer gently for 6 to 8 minutes, until the fish turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
~8 min
Gentle simmering poaches the cod, keeping it moist and flaky rather than tough or dry.
Simmering Keep the liquid at a gentle bubble, not a rolling boil, so the sauce reduces without scorching and the fish cooks evenly. Adjust heat as needed.
-
Take the pan off the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes so the cod finishes cooking and the sauce settles. Fluff the rice with a fork, spoon it onto a plate, and lay the cod and sauce over the top.
~5 min
Resting lets residual heat finish cooking the cod and allows the sauce to thicken and settle.