by Harsha Dewa

Created on: April 22, 2008

It is very easy to follow recipes from cookbooks but I always have a habit of getting it wrong somewhere which puts me off making it ever again.

One recipe which I came across by accident has over the years been twisted, manipulated and evolved into a favourite dish which I make on a regular basis. I am always asked for the recipe and it goes down well with all the family and guests.

Oven baked Fish Curry

I have found this recipe to be very quick using some simple ingredients. The best thing about it is you can substitute the ingredients for your own favourites and there is no right or wrong. Here is the basic recipe to follow.

Ingredients:

2 fillets Tilapia
Pasta sauce (I normally use a jar of Dolmio)
5 cloves
3 sticks of cinnamon
2 small onions, sliced
2 crushed garlic
1 small root of ginger, shredded
tsp crushed chillies (more can be used if you prefer a hot dish)
2 tsp salt
Black pepper
2 tsp oil

Season both sides of the fillets with 1tsp of salt and some course black pepper. Leave aside for 15minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 180degrees.

In a jug, mix the pasta sauce with the remaining salt, chillies, garlic and ginger. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water.

Heat the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat. Fry the fish for 30seconds on each side to seal the flavour. Place in an oven proof glass dish large enough to ensure fish is not overlapped.

Put the frying pan back onto the heat. Add the cloves and cinnamon sticks to the remaining oil and add the onions and fry until brown.

Layer the onions with the cloves and cinnamon onto the fillets.

Place the frying pan back onto the heat and pour the sauce. Allow to bubble then pour over the onions.

Place in the oven for 40minutes.

Serve with plain rice.

Other alternatives:
As mentioned before, I have tried this recipe in many ways and there is no right or wrong.

- Try and add a little single cream and tsp of honey into your sauce.
- Substitute the fish fillets with chicken breast cut into 1inch chunks.
- Add some chopped vegetables into the sauce
- Marinate the fish or the meat with ready made tandoori paste / garam masala / herbs and spices / Worchester sauce the list is endless

Think of your favourite flavours and add it in to the recipe. Make an oven baked curry to suit you.

Learn more about this author, Harsha Dewa.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.