See also:
» 01.03.2011 - Africa prepares for carnival season
» 18.01.2011 - Record tourist arrival numbers in Seychelles
» 09.04.2010 - Seychelles, Réunion tourism cooperation pays off
» 02.02.2010 - Seychelles appoints ambassadors to boost tourism
» 15.10.2008 - Seychelles tourist industry fears recession
» 03.06.2008 - Seychelles' Praslin in for beautification
» 25.01.2007 - Seychelles wants only slow tourism growth
» 06.04.2006 - Also Indian Ocean tourists hit by chikungunya virus











Seychelles
Culture - Arts | Travel - Leisure

Seychelles recipes: Fish Curry with coconut milk and basil

Executive chef Ulric Denis at Le Meridien presents his modern version of a fish curry

© Rainer Chr Hennig/afrol News
afrol News
- A fish curry is a traditional, tasty Seychellois dish. But executive chef Ulric Denis teaches us a modern "fusion" way of upgrading this local speciality to international levels.

Mr Denis heads the kitchen at the prestigious Le Meridien Hotel in Bel Ombre on Mahé island, Seychelles. The Seychellois chef combines traditional cooking with modern, French techniques and presentation, proving a hit among upmarket tourists on the beautiful Indian Ocean island state.

Mr Denis chooses the red snapper - one of the most exclusive and tasty fishes on the Seychellois market - for his presentation, but points out that almost any fish filets can be used. As examples, he mentions tuna and jackfish.


These are the ingredients you need for a modern Seychellois fish curry ŕ la Ulric Denis. Quantities are enough for two persons:

- 2 large fish filets (not a fat fish)
- 2-3 dl coconut milk
- 1 turmeric root (fresh) or

Mr Denis makes sure to be well prepared in his hygienic and spacious kitchen

© Rainer Chr Hennig/afrol News
ginger root
- 2-3 garlic boats
- 1 small onion
- fresh basil leaves
- fresh mint leaves
- 1-2 spoons of masala powder
- pepper
- salt
- neutral oil for cooking
- fresh chilli (optional)
- rice, bread, breadfruit, cassava or sweet potato at the side

Preparations before cooking
Before you start cooking - which should be done in a rush so as to not overcook the fine raw materials - you are well advised to make the following preparations:

Prepare the side dish. An easy and modern variety is rice, which would be the typical contemporary way of serving the dish in Seychelles. Traditional ways include breadfruit, sweet potatoes or cassava, cut into larger pieces and boiled.

Quest a mash out of fresh turmeric (or ginger) to

The fish must only be fried very shortly, Mr Denis emphasises

© Rainer Chr Hennig/afrol News
gether with garlic. Separately, chop basil and mint leaves and the onion.

Wash and prepare the fish filets by chopping them into thumb-sized pieces. Put on some salt and pepper.

Cooking the fish curry
Prepare a medium hot pan with much neutral cooking oil. Fry the chopped fish quickly; not more than a half to one minute. Put the fried fish aside for later and put away the oil (separately) for later use.

The pan is put back on the oven, heated and the garlic-ginger mass is fried together with the onion, chopped herbs and the masala powder. Then, the coconut oil is added and the (old) oil is put back in to the pan.

In this sauce, the fish is added again and the entire dish is let to cook on low fire for no more than five min

Mr Denis serves his Seychellois fusion cuisine at a beautiful setting at Le Meridien Hotel

© Rainer Chr Hennig/afrol News
utes. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper if necessary.

If you like chilli, this is finely chopped and added in the very last moment, so as to conserve this spice's original taste. Mr Denis warns against too much chilli, which would overshadow the dish's fine spectre of flavours. Indeed, chilli is not necessary at all, Mr Denis holds, although it would be obligatory for most Seychellois.

The fish curry is served hot, together with the side dish (rice, breadfruit, etc) on the same hot plate. A cold glass of spicy white wine, for example a German Gewürztraminer, would fit neatly to this modern Creole dish.

Bon appetite!


Read more about the creative cuisine of Seychelles here.



Current afrol News Top Stories


UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara

afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington.
Central African Republic
Central African Republic falling apart

afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians.
Kenya
Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya

afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit

afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa.
Egypt
Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s

afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old.



front page | news | countries | archive | currencies | news alerts login | about afrol News | contact | advertise | español 

©  afrol News. Reproducing or buying afrol News' articles.

   You can contact us at mail@afrol.com