Meen Moilee (Kerala Fish Moilee)
Delicate fish poached in a mild, silky coconut sauce with ginger, green chilli and curry leaves.
Made with Curry base sauce (onion and tomato) and South Indian coconut curry base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.14 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
Rub the fish with the turmeric and salt and leave for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Heat the coconut oil in a wide pan over a gentle heat. Add the green chillies and curry leaves and fry for 30 seconds until they crackle.
0 min 30 s - 3
Pour in your ready made curry base sauce and south Indian coconut base (see the base recipes). Heat to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes. Do not let it boil hard.
5 min - 4
Lay in the fish, skin side up, with the tomato wedges. Cover and poach for 6 to 8 minutes until opaque and flaking.
7 min - 5
Add the lime juice and a little more salt if needed. Serve with plain basmati rice.
Tips
- Moilee is meant to be mild and silky. Keep the heat low so the coconut does not split.
- Sea bass, cod, haddock and hake are all good here. Choose firm white fish that holds together.
Storing and freezing
Best the day it is made. Cool within 1 to 2 hours, keep in the fridge for up to 1 day and reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. Do not freeze.
Questions
How is moilee different from other fish curries?
It is a mild, gentle coconut curry with no tomato base or heavy spicing. The fish is poached rather than fried, and the sauce is thin and silky.
Can I use frozen fish?
Yes. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and pat dry before rubbing with turmeric and salt.
More made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Masala Chickpea Pilau (Chana Pulao)
DFEFNFBeef Jalfrezi with Peppers and Green Chillies
DFEFNFSalmon Tikka Masala
GFEFNFGoan Pork Ambot Tik (Sour and Hot Pork Curry)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
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.
