Cod Madras with Coconut and Curry Leaves
Flaky cod poached in a tangy madras and coconut sauce with curry leaves. Quick, light and full of flavour.
Made with Madras paste and South Indian coconut curry base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £4.67 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Add the curry leaves and onion and cook for 6 minutes until soft.
6 min - 2
Stir in your ready made madras paste (see the base recipe) and fry for 2 minutes.
2 min - 3
Add the tomatoes and your ready made South Indian coconut base (see the base recipe). Bring to a gentle simmer for 8 minutes.
8 min - 4
Slide in the cod chunks. Spoon sauce over, cover and cook very gently for 6 to 8 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
7 min - 5
Do not stir hard or the fish will break up. Add the lime juice and coriander.
- 6
Serve with basmati rice.
Tips
- Use thick pieces of fish so they stay in chunks.
- Keep the heat low once the fish goes in, as high heat toughens it.
- Frozen cod works well. Thaw fully and pat dry first.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 1 day. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. Fish dishes are best not frozen.
Questions
Can I use other fish?
Yes. Haddock, pollock, hake or salmon all work. Cooking times are similar for thick pieces, a little shorter for salmon.
Where do I get curry leaves?
Fresh curry leaves are in most large supermarkets and Asian shops. Frozen ones also work. Leave them out if you cannot find them.
Is it dairy free?
Yes, the coconut base is dairy free, as is the madras paste.
More made with madras paste
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.