Remember I told you that I hardly ever make my curry from scratch because there are many good curry pastes readily available in Malaysia? Go to any markets or stores one can find various selection of curry pastes–they usually come packaged in small plastic bags. All you have to do is adding your meat or seafood to the curry paste and you will have a pot of sinfully good–and authentic–Malaysian Indian-style curries.
That being said, this seafood curry was prepared just that–from a seafood curry paste that I brought back from home. The curry paste was very good; there are mustard seeds, cardamons, cloves, and curry leaves in the paste–which are some of the secret spices/ingredients for a very good pot of Indian-style curries…
For my US readers, you might be more familiar with Thai or Indian curries offered here at Thai or Indian restaurants. Malaysian curries are quite different. Unlike Thai curries, Malaysian curries are not sweet because coconut milk is used sparingly to complement the spices but not overshadow their tastes. Also, no sugar and fish sauce are added so you get the natural flavors of the ingredients–be it meat, chicken, fish, or other seafood. Malaysian curries are also heavier in spices and thus hotter. Compared to the Indian curries, Malaysian curries are also different because yoghurt isn’t used. The cooking style originated from the southern part of India, but had since been localized to a Malaysian taste.
Anyway, everytime I go home to Penang, I am sure to bring back loads of these curry pastes. They keep well in the fridge and last a few months. If you would like to find out more about what brands I like, drop me a comment or email.
Enjoy!
Other Curry Recipes:
Ingredients:
1 pack seafood curry paste
6 large prawns
6 squids
6 scallops
1/2 lb. seabass fillet (cut into small cubes/pieces)
1 tomato (cut into wedges)
2 tablespoons coconut milk
1 tablespoon tamarind pulp (soaked in 4 tablespoons water and extract the juice)
2 shallots (peeled and sliced)
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon oil
Salt to taste
1 sprig curry leaves (optional)
Method:
Heat up a pot and saute the shallots until aromatic. Add the curry paste into the pot and do a few quick stirs. Add 1 1/2 cups water and bring it to boil. Then add the seafood, cover the pot until cooked. Add the coconut milk and salt to taste. Serve hot.
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
The curry looks delicious! I really like the sparing use of coconut milk. The hotter the curry, the better for my tastes!
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Being a big time curry lover, I am always happy to learn more about the nuances of it. Thanks for the education on Malaysian curries.
Seafood curries are my favourite so you know I am loving this curry you made here :)
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Bee, we used one of those A-1 brand paste packets you gave us to make fish curry. It was very nice! The flavor was spot-on and the heat was goooood! Thanks again.
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im often confused with indian and malay curries due to the overload of mamaks around..neither here nor there..
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Oh, this does look wonderful. I’m always happy to learn more about curry. Can you tell us which brands you like that we can find here in the U.S.? Thanks Bee!
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Hello!! Glad i came across ur site! I don’t really cook Asian but I love how this looks–very deliciuos.
I’ll let you know if I try it!
And I’ll be back to visit!
B
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I love indian style curry, especially the curry with fish that my mom always cooks… I can gobble up two plates of rice soaked in the gravy… ;-)
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I can’t take curry; but yours with seafood really is attractive!!:)
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after seeing this post, I might just buy a packet of curry paste next time I see them at the market, keke (I’m from SG, I am guessing the paste here won’t be as nice though) … Funny thing is I never really paid attention to them when I saw them as a kid … As usual, u make the food look really delicious :)~~~~ (drools all over keyboard)
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My favorite curry from Asian market are Brahim’s and Asian Home Gourmet which is from Thailand. They are yummy delicious.
What type of curry paste you brought back from M’sia? Are they prepack or fresh? How to seal the fresh curry paste and fly home?
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I can supply the paste to you if you want, but not sure how the customs department will handle it though… Hahahah!
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i’m going back to penang soon - tell me what brands u bought and from where??
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Omg, this looks so delicious. The method seems simple but I doubt I can do it! :)
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That looks and sounds wonderful, I will have to make a curry dish this week…
I was in KL a few years ago, the food was fabulous. Even the food on the plane, Malaysia Airlines, was terrific! Happy to have found your site.
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I’ll be back to Malaysia soon! Please tell me which curry brands you buy. Thanks!~
Jasmine
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honey replied:
i would like to put this curry on my menu.what brand of the curry powder do you use?thanks.
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This curry looks delicious! Rasa, do you use coconut milk or coconut cream? Is there a difference between the two?
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This sounds so delicious! I need to make this on a night that my husband isn’t home - he is not fond of any type of curry. It’s a shame!
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Did you use those curry pastes that came in just a transparent plastic bag and tied with an elastic band? How did you get them through airport customs? Or were these vacuum sealed, like the Brahim ones? The dish looked deliciou indeed! Was any santan added?
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yum! I agree-with these sorts of curry, less (coconut milk) is more!
I can see this with a bowl of steaming rice.
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Yes lah some red curry seafood stuff. I cant be eating spicy stuff now.. so i guess my eyes will just have to feed.
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definitely a good dish to go with rice.
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Hey Rasa , i love Malasyian curry more compared to the indian one as i feel it has more flavour. The Indian one becomes too heavy and doesn’t taste as gr8 with noodles :P
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where did you get da paste from? da curry looks sinfully good!
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All - If you are wondering of the brand, please read Nate 2.0 comment above. ;)
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All - this curry paste is not avaialble in the US, but if you would like to get them, send me an email. If you are in Malaysia, you can get them at markets or stores…just ask for it.
White on rice couple - I use coconut milk, but it doesn’t matter which since I used only a little.
Kate / Kajal - it’s a great honor to learn that you prefer Malaysian curries. That’s a huge statement for us Malaysians. Thank you. :) :)
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I now know how to make malaysian indian-style seafood curry thanks to your malaysian indian-style seafood curry recipe!
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Love ur blog. And ur fotos! u make everything look so good and yummy.
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if using scallops, prawns AND squid be careful when adding them as they don’t all cook at the same rate. If using fish, add fish bring to boil and turn off heat. Let it sit for 5-10 mins….purrrfect!
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Drooooooooooling!!!! Wow, this looks too delicious!! May I have the brand of your preferred curry paste from Malaysia please, thank you!
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i love this curry!!!
yesterday i had a big fish head curry .. oh my god.. i think it’s almost as big as my head haha!!
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i came across your website while scanning another foodie website.
must say the pictures are wonderful and pleasing to look at. they definitely make one wants to try out the recipe .
i have tried many types of curry paste but one stands out. perhaps it is the same brand that Nate 2.0 mentioned above. it is A 1 Mountain Globe Brand , made by A! Best one Food Industry Sdn Bhd. of Malaysia. i have been sticking to this brand for years. there are 2 types : one for meat and the other one is for fish . so look out when you buy.
if i want to get more spicy, i first fry ( low heat ) some cumin, cinnamon , chilli powder and other ( adjust the amount of each depending on your taste) before adding the paste. of course , a few pieces of fresh curry leave is almost a must to enhance the flavor. you can add onion and tomato as well .
prepare the curry in the morning and leave it till evening . reheat it in the evening and it tastes much better (not to mention the leftover, if any, on the next day).
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