Tuna Ambul Thiyal (Sri Lankan Sour Pepper Fish)

Southern Sri Lanka's famous dry fish curry: chunks of tuna coated in a sour, peppery paste and cooked slowly until the liquid disappears and the fish turns dark and intensely savory. Served with rice and coconut-tossed green beans.

Ingredients

• 1¼ lb tuna steaks, in 2-inch pieces about 1 inch thick
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 lime
• 3 garlic cloves, grated
• 12 oz green beans, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups basmati or jasmine rice

From your pantry: 3 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp coarsely ground black pepper, 1 tsp chili powder, 1½ tsp salt, ½ tsp turmeric, 1 cinnamon stick, broken, 1 tsp mustard seeds.

Instructions

1. Stir the tamarind, juice of the lime, black pepper, chili powder, garlic, 1 tsp salt and ¼ cup water into a thick, batter-like paste.
2. Lightly oil a heavy skillet or clay pot. Dip each tuna piece in the paste to coat it well and lay it in a single layer, wide side down. Spoon over any remaining paste and tuck in the cinnamon.
3. Cover and cook on low heat until the fish releases its juices and is mostly cooked, about 15 minutes. Turn the pieces once, gently, then cook uncovered on the lowest heat, shaking the pan instead of stirring, until all the liquid has evaporated and the paste clings dark to the fish, 10 to 15 minutes. Cook the rice meanwhile.
4. For the beans, heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high, add the mustard seeds and, when they pop, the onion. Cook 2 minutes, then add the beans, turmeric, ½ tsp salt and 2 tbsp water. Cover and steam until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes, then toss in the coconut until it is warmed through.
5. Serve the fish with rice and the beans, spooning any dark bits from the pan over the top.

Tip: The traditional souring agent is goraka (Garcinia cambogia), sold as a paste or dried pieces in Sri Lankan shops; use 2 tbsp goraka paste in place of the tamarind and lime. Swordfish or salmon work if tuna is pricey.

Nutrition per serving

Good for

Adapted from Hungry Lankan.

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