Chili-Rubbed Halibut With Cauliflower Curry

By ltrodrigu

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil, plus 1/3 cup
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ancho chili or red pepper flakes
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless halibut or sablefish, skin on, cut into 2 1/2 -inch dice
• 1 1/2 cups finely sliced red onions
• 1 tablespoon peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger
• 2/3 cup canned tomato purée
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 3 pieces whole star anise
• 1/3 cup full-fat plain yogurt, plus extra for garnish (optional)
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into individual florets
• Cilantro leaves, for garnish
• Chopped scallions, for garnish
• Naan bread or cooked basmati rice, for serving

Preparation

Step 1

In a medium bowl, mix 3 tablespoons oil with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cayenne and ancho chili. Add fish and gently massage spiced oil into fish.

Set a medium, lidded pot over medium heat. Add remaining oil and onions and sauté until onions soften and start to caramelize, about 8 minutes. Add ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomato purée, turmeric, cumin, star anise, remaining cayenne and remaining salt. Sauté until spices are fragrant, 3-4 minutes. Turn off heat.

In a small bowl, combine yogurt with 3 tablespoons of the spiced tomato sauce. Stir mixture back into pot with tomato sauce and stir in 2 cups water. Place pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir in cauliflower and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until florets are tender and easily pierced with a knife, about 7 minutes. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.

Meanwhile, fill another pot with 1½ inches water and fit with a steamer. Set pot over medium-high heat and bring water to a boil. Place fish in steamer, cover and steam until fish flakes easily when gently prodded, about 5 minutes.

To serve, ladle curry over fish. Garnish with cilantro and scallions. Top with a dollop of plain yogurt, if desired. Serve with naan bread or basmati rice.