Plaice with Curried Coconut Sauce & Basmati Rice
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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
A creamy coconut sauce full of fiery Goan spice makes the perfect broth for poaching fillets of sustainably-caught plaice till they’re tender and flaking. Fluffy basmati rice on the side helps to soak up the flavours.
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685 kcal
(per portion)
Ingredients you'll need
  • 1 onion
  • 250g cherry vine tomatoes
  • 1 lemon
  • 150g white basmati rice
  • 1 tbsp Goan curry paste
  • 200ml coconut milk
  • ½ green cabbage
  • 2 plaice fillets
  • A handful of coriander, leaves only
From your kitchen
  • 300ml boiling water
  • Sea salt
  • ½ tbsp olive or coconut oil
Step by step this way
  • 1.

    Peel and finely chop the onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely grate the zest from the lemon.

  • 2.

    Tip the rice into a small pan. Pour in 300ml boiling water and add a pinch of salt. Cover, bring to the boil and then turn the heat right down. Gently simmer for 8 mins till all the water has been absorbed. Take off the heat and leave in the pan, lid on, for 5-10 mins to steam the rice. It will keep warm in the pan while you finish cooking the rest of your meal.

  • 3.

    While the rice simmers, warm a deep frying pan or wok over a medium heat, then add the onion with ½ tbsp oil. Season with a pinch of salt and fry for 5 mins till the onion has started to soften.

  • 4.

    Stir in the tomatoes, lemon zest and 1 tbsp Goan curry paste. Cook and stir for 2 mins, then pour in the coconut milk. Pop a lid on the pan, turn the heat down a little, and gently simmer for 10 mins, stirring now and then, till the tomatoes have started to collapse.

  • 5.

    While the sauce simmers, halve the green cabbage and slice the core out of 1 half. Finely shred the leaves. Set the other cabbage aside for another recipe – see our tip below. Stir the shredded cabbage into the sauce and simmer for 5 mins, lid off, till the cabbage is dark and glossy and the sauce has thickened a little. Taste the sauce and add a pinch more salt if you think it needs it.

  • 6.

    Slide the plaice fillets into the sauce. Simmer for 4-5 mins till the plaice fillets are cooked – they’ll flake easily when pressed with a fork. While the fish cooks, pick the coriander leaves and discard the stems.

  • 7.

    Fluff the rice and heap up on 2 warm plates. Top with the plaice fillets and the coconut sauce and serve, garnished with coriander leaves.

  • Tip

    Have cabbage, will cook
    Your leftover cabbage half will keep in the fridge for a few days. Turn it into a super star side dish by sweating 1 onion, chopped, in butter till soft, then add grated garlic and ginger. Fry till aromatic, then add shredded cabbage and fry till green and glossy. Pour in a little double cream and warm through. Season and serve.

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