South Indian Recipes

Ingredients:

2 lb. fish fillets
1 egg
2 tbsp. fresh coriander, chopped
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 lb. green beans, thinly sliced
Oil for frying

Red Curry Paste:

1 small red Spanish onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp. Chopped fresh coriander root
2 tsp. Dried chili flakes
1 tsp. galangal powder
1 tsp. grated lime rind
1/2 tsp. Shrimp paste
1 dried kefir lime leaf
3 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
3 tsp. oil

Grind together in a food processor using a little water, if necessary until a smooth paste is formed.

Instructions:

1. Blend or process fish, egg, coriander, sugar and 1/3 cup of red curry paste until well combined and smooth.
2. Combine fish mixture and beans in bowl; mix well.
3. Roll 2 level tbsp. of mixture into a ball, flatten slightly; repeat with remaining mixture.
4. Just before serving, deep-fry fish cakes in hot oil until well browned and cooked; drain on absorbent paper.
5. Curry paste: Blend or process all ingredients until smooth.

Fish cakes can be prepared a day ahead. Red curry paste can be made a week ahead.

Ingredients:

2 cucumbers
1/2 small red onion, chopped
1 to 2 fresh green chilies, seeded and minced
3 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1/4 cup chopped unsalted dry-roasted peanuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Peel cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds.
2. Thinly cut cucumbers into half-moons and place in a bowl with onion and chilies.
3. Combine lime juice, soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil, pour over salad. Toss well.
4. Garnish with peanuts if desired.

Note: Serve immediately. (Salad becomes watery as it sits.)

...fried corn cakes

Ingredients:

2 cups sweet corn kernels
1 egg
1 T yellow curry paste
2-3 T rice flour
2 T light soya sauce
1 tsp. Salt
3 T flour
Sauce: 4 T Vinegar
4 T Water
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 chilli, crushed
1/4 cup peanuts, crudely pounded
1/4 cucumber, cut small
Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Mix together the corn, egg, curry paste, rice flour, soya sauce and 1 tsp. salt.
2. Shape the mixture with your hand to form circular cakes about 1 inch in diameter.
3. Dip the cake in the flour and sauté immediately in the hot oil. (Do not fry more than 6-8 cakes at a time or they will not cook properly).
4. To make the sauce, bring to the boil the water, mixed with vinegar, sugar, salt and chilli.
5. Let it cool.
6. Add the pounded peanuts to the coolest mixture.
7. Lastly add the cucumber.