Curried Stuffed Fish

Dive into the vibrant flavors of this Curried Stuffed Fish, a show-stopping dish that combines the freshness of whole snapper, sea bass, or trout with a delicately spiced curry filling. The savory stuffing, brimming with sautéed onions, garlic, ginger, spinach, and a medley of warm spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander, is perfectly balanced with the tang of fresh lemon juice. Baked to perfection, the fish emerges tender, flaky, and infused with the aromatic stuffing, while a golden exterior offers visual appeal. Ideal for a special dinner or festive gathering, this dish pairs beautifully with rice or naan and garnishes of fresh cilantro and lemon wedges. With its vibrant spice blend, unique presentation, and wholesome ingredients, this curried fish recipe is a culinary journey worth savoring.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 large (about 2 lbs) whole fish (snapper, sea bass, or trout, cleaned and gutted)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 large tomato, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 whole lemon, sliced
• 1 optional twine or toothpicks (for securing the fish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Step 2

Rinse the whole fish under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Make 2-3 diagonal slashes on both sides of the fish to help it cook evenly.

Step 3

In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Stir for another minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the turmeric, cumin, coriander, and red chili powder. Cook the spices for 30 seconds to bloom the flavors.

Step 6

Add the chopped tomato and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the chopped cilantro and spinach, allowing the spinach to wilt. Turn off the heat.

Step 7

Season the stuffing mixture with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Let it cool slightly.

Step 8

Rub the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper over the entire fish, including inside the cavity.

Step 9

Stuff the fish cavity with the prepared curry mixture, pressing gently to ensure it's filled evenly. Secure the opening with twine or toothpicks if necessary.

Step 10

Place slices of lemon on top of the fish and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 11

Bake the fish in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.

Step 12

Carefully remove the fish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter.

Step 13

Serve the curried stuffed fish hot, garnished with extra cilantro and lemon wedges on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1479.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1759.9

Total Fat 93.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 423.4mg	0%
Sodium 2869.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 38.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.9g	0%
Total Sugars 12.8g
Protein 177.8g	0%

Vitamin D 2419.2IU	0%
Calcium 329.9mg	0%
Iron 11.2mg	0%
Potassium 3801.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.2%

Protein: 41.7%

Carbs: 9.0%