South Indian Style Monkfish and Lentil Curry

This dish is from my cookbook Dr Rupy COOKS. This authentic flavour combination of fresh tomatoes, mustard seeds and curry leaves takes me back to my... travels to Kerala and Goa. The addition of lentils and green beans to the tomatoes really packs in the protein and vegetables per portion, making this beautifully balanced and light. Because of the lentils, I don’t think this curry needs to be served with rice, but you can if you wish. Read more This dish is from my cookbook Dr Rupy COOKS. This authentic flavour combination of fresh tomatoes, mustard seeds and curry leaves takes me back to my travels to Kerala and Goa. The addition of lentils and green beans to the tomatoes really packs in the protein and vegetables per portion, making this beautifully balanced and light. Because of the lentils, I don’t think this curry needs to be served with rice, but you can if you wish.

Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
35 minutes
FREEZER FRIENDLY
No
SHELF LIFE
3 days
Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
protein
High
fibre
Prebiotics
3+ fruits &
vegetables
Contains
Ingredients
Serves 4
For the curry paste
red chilli flakes
desiccated coconut
water
boiling
red onion
chopped
chopped
salt
black pepper
garlic cloves
peeled
For the curry
coconut oil
cumin seeds
mustard seeds
black
turmeric powder
red lentils (dried)
thoroughly washed
vegetable stock
Swaps: fish stock
monkfish fillet
Swaps: cod fillet, jumbo prawns, tiger prawns
cut into 4cm pieces
green beans
halved
roughly chopped
star anise
curry leaves
optional
coconut milk (can)
To serve
coriander
roughly chopped
lime
cut into wedges
Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
protein
High
fibre
Prebiotics
3+ fruits &
vegetables

NUTRITION PER SERVING (Read more)

542kcal
Calories
41g
Protein
28g
Total Fat
38g
Carbs
14g
Fibre
10g
Sugars
192mg
Calcium
15%
 
10mg
Iron
57%
 
190mg
Magnesium
45%
 
830mg
Phosporus
66%
 
1813mg
Potassium
39%
 
517mg
Sodium
22%
 
4mg
Zinc
33%
 
1mg
Copper
83%
 
1mg
Vitamin B1
43%
 
0mg
Vitamin B2
30%
 
7mg
Vitamin B3
42%
 
1mg
Vitamin B6
50%
 
199mcg
Vitamin B9
50%
 
291mcg
Vitamin A
32%
 
1mcg
Vitamin B12
56%
 
43mg
Vitamin C
48%
 
1mcg
Vitamin D
7%
 
4mg
Vitamin E
24%
 
63mcg
Vitamin K
52%
 
Calories: 542kcal; Protein: 41g; Total Fat: 28g; Carbs: 38g; Fibre: 14g; Sugars: 10g; Calcium: 192mg (15%); Iron: 10mg (57%); Magnesium: 190mg (45%); Phosporus: 830mg (66%); Potassium: 1813mg (39%); Sodium: 517mg (22%); Zinc: 4mg (33%); Copper: 1mg (83%); Vitamin B1: 1mg (43%); Vitamin B2: 0mg (30%); Vitamin B3: 7mg (42%); Vitamin B6: 1mg (50%); Vitamin B9: 199mcg (50%); Vitamin A: 291mcg (32%); Vitamin B12: 1mcg (56%); Vitamin C: 43mg (48%); Vitamin D: 1mcg (7%); Vitamin E: 4mg (24%); Vitamin K: 63mcg (52%)
Show more

Notes

You can use shop-bought Keralan curry paste for this if you prefer

Why is this healthy?
Plant
points
High
protein
High
fibre
Prebiotics
3+ fruits &
vegetables
Contains
Ingredients
Serves 4
For the curry paste
red chilli flakes
desiccated coconut
water
boiling
red onion
chopped
chopped
salt
black pepper
garlic cloves
peeled
For the curry
coconut oil
cumin seeds
mustard seeds
black
turmeric powder
red lentils (dried)
thoroughly washed
vegetable stock
Swaps: fish stock
monkfish fillet
Swaps: cod fillet, jumbo prawns, tiger prawns
cut into 4cm pieces
green beans
halved
roughly chopped
star anise
curry leaves
optional
coconut milk (can)
To serve
coriander
roughly chopped
lime
cut into wedges

Ingredients

Serves 4
For the curry paste
red chilli flakes
desiccated coconut
water
boiling
red onion
chopped
chopped
salt
black pepper
garlic cloves
peeled
For the curry
coconut oil
cumin seeds
mustard seeds
black
turmeric powder
red lentils (dried)
thoroughly washed
vegetable stock
Swaps: fish stock
monkfish fillet
Swaps: cod fillet, jumbo prawns, tiger prawns
cut into 4cm pieces
green beans
halved
roughly chopped
star anise
curry leaves
optional
coconut milk (can)
To serve
coriander
roughly chopped
lime
cut into wedges

Method

Your notes

1. Gather and prepare your ingredients.

2. For the curry paste, soak the dried chillies and coconut in the boiling water for 10 minutes. Tip the soaked chillies and coconut, along with the water, into a food processor or blender with the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

3. Heat the coconut oil in a heavy-based saucepan over a medium-low heat. Add the star anise, cumin and mustard seeds, turmeric, curry leaves, if using, with seasoning, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the curry paste and fry for 5 minutes, stirring continuously, until it thickens and intensifies in flavour.

4. Add the lentils, coconut milk and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 20 minutes until the lentils are soft.

5. Add the monkfish, green beans and spinach and cook for a further 8 minutes or until the monkfish is just cooked through.

6. To serve, spoon the curry into bowls, scatter over the chopped coriander and garnish with lime wedges for squeezing.

Notes

You can use shop-bought Keralan curry paste for this if you prefer

Sign up today to unlock this recipe and 800+ others
Join 1000s of others who are already learning how to achieve their health goals

Related recipes for you

© 2025 The Doctor's Kitchen