Guest Post: A Simple Maldivian Lunch

It is with great pleasure to introduce you all to another cool blog, Chilli's and Lime it is written by Peanuts a sweet stay home mum in Malaysia, who cooks great food. I asked her if she could kindly share with us a Maldivian dish as that's where she is originally from.

Blogging is such a treat and an amazing way to learn dishes from around the world from the expert's!

Hi!,

I am a 30 year old stay at home mum of one adorable 2 year old :) . Gave up my job just to start a family and do what i like to do most cook :) . Currently living in a sleepy town in Malaysia, sleepy but very nice and laid back nothing like the crazy life in kuala lumpur, moved here 2 years ago hubby is studying here so whole family moved.

Didn't pay much attention to Maldivian recipes until I got married , my husband loves Maldivian meals so I started learning them from my mum and aunts and learnt that its important to know about your own country's recipes and not always depend on the older folks for it :).

Anyways here is one of my favourite curries actually i didn't know which one to choose :) but decided to go with the simplest but slightly spicy.

A Simple Maldivian Lunch

A spicy fish curry served with plain cooked rice and a green salad.

For 4 people you will need :

Ingredients:

• 250g fish fillet or steak preferably tuna, those big steak pieces will do well for 4, or any other kind of firm fish like mackerel) , cut into 1 inch cubes)

• 1 small onion sliced
• 2 garlic cloves pound or grated
• 4 pods cardamoms, ends snipped
• 1 inch piece cinnamon
• 1 sprig curry leaf
• 1 pandan leaf cut into big pieces (I asked Peanut about this she stated that it is not necessary)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 ½ tsp chilli powder
• ½ tsp ground pepper
• ¼ tsp turmeric,
• 1 tbsp tomato paste or 1/2 tsp tamarind paste
• 200ml pkt or a can of coconut milk, not coconut cream
• Salt
• Oil

Method:

1. In a small pot or saucepan, heat about 2 tablespoons of oil. Add onion slices and sauté till the onion is translucent.

2.Switch off heat .Pour 100ml coconut milk into a measuring jug, add 400ml water , stir and pour this into the saucepan and add the rest of the ingredients .

3. Place the pan back over the stove , bring to a boil , then lower heat and simmer and cook till the fish is cooked., give it a stir every now and then.

4. Add 80ml of coconut milk, simmer for about 1 minute, stir , adjust seasoning, and if you think it’s too spicy add about ½ tsp sugar.

Serve with plain cooked rice and green salad

To make a Maldivian green salad, you need 1 small onion, sliced thinly into half moons, put this in a bowl add salt a red chilli ( de seeded if you like) and juice of 1/2 lime juice or lemon juice . using your fingers scrunch up the onions so they start to go soft and release their juice. Add finely sliced greens, it can be any type of lettuce or spinach, mix carefully adjust seasoning, and more lime juice if you want.

Enjoy!