One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry

One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry is a medium Indian-inspired recipe that serves 4. 410 calories per serving.

Prep: 25 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 55 min

Cost: $17.90 total, $4.47 per serving

Ingredients

  • 150 g Red lentils (Soaked 10-15 minutes)
  • 2 medium Fresh tomatoes (Roughly chopped)
  • 1 thumb-sized piece (~20g) Fresh ginger (Peeled)
  • 3 cloves Garlic cloves (Peeled)
  • 2 tsp Red chili (fresh or powder) (Adjust to taste)
  • 1 medium Onion (Roughly chopped)
  • 2 tsp Desiccated coconut
  • 1 tsp Salt (To taste)
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper (To taste)
  • 1 tbsp Coconut oil (Or neutral oil)
  • 1 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp Cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1 whole Star anise
  • 300 ml Water
  • 400 ml Coconut milk (1 can)
  • 1 cube Vegetable stock (Or 1 tsp powder)
  • 350 g White fish (monkfish, cod, pollock) (Cut into chunks)
  • 100 g Green beans (Roughly chopped)
  • 100 g Spinach (Fresh, washed)
  • 1 whole Lime (For garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Soak Lentils

    Place red lentils in a bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the paste and other ingredients.

    Time: PT15M

  2. Make Spice Paste

    Roughly chop tomatoes, ginger, garlic, onion. Add to blender with chili, desiccated coconut, salt, and black pepper. Blend until a coarse paste forms (about 1-2 minutes).

    Time: PT5M

  3. Prep Other Ingredients

    While lentils soak and paste blends, chop green beans and cut fish into bite-sized chunks. Wash and drain spinach.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Temper Spices

    Heat coconut oil in a large pan over low-medium heat. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, star anise, and turmeric powder. Stir and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, but do not let spices burn.

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: Low-medium heat

  5. Cook Paste

    Add the blended spice paste to the pan. Cook over low-medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the raw smell disappears and the mixture thickens.

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: Low-medium heat

  6. Add Lentils, Liquids, and Simmer

    Drain soaked lentils and add to the pan. Pour in 300 ml water, coconut milk, and crumble in the vegetable stock cube. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: Simmer (low-medium heat)

  7. Add Fish and Vegetables

    Add chopped green beans and fish chunks to the pan. Stir gently. Cover and cook for 8 minutes (monkfish), or 5-7 minutes if using thinner fish like cod or pollock, until fish is opaque and cooked through.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: Simmer (low-medium heat)

  8. Add Greens and Finish

    Stir in spinach and let it wilt for 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Low heat

  9. Serve and Garnish

    Remove from heat. Serve curry in bowls, optionally garnished with lime wedges. Enjoy as is, or with rice or flatbread if desired.

    Time: PT2M

  10. Cleanup

    Wash all used utensils, blender, chopping board, knife, pan, and serving bowls. Wipe down surfaces.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
410
Protein
28g
Carbohydrates
36g
Fat
18g
Fiber
9g

Dietary info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, High-protein, High-fiber, high-fiber

Allergens: Fish, Coconut

Last updated: April 11, 2026

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One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry

A flexible, high-protein, high-fiber one-pan curry packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients. This recipe uses red lentils, a homemade spice paste, coconut milk, and your choice of white fish (monkfish, cod, or pollock), plus greens like spinach. It's perfect for quick, healthy weeknight meals and is easily adaptable to whatever you have in your fridge.

MediumIndian-inspiredServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
34m
Prep
28m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 12m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$17.90
Total cost
$4.47
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Soak lentils for at least 10 minutes to ensure quick cooking and digestibility.
  • Blend a fresh spice paste for maximum flavor.
  • Temper spices carefully to avoid burning.
  • Cook the paste thoroughly to remove rawness.
  • Simmer lentils and coconut milk until lentils are soft.
  • Add fish and cook just until done; avoid overcooking.

Safety Warnings

  • Be careful when blending hot ingredients; let them cool slightly first.
  • Watch for fish bones if using bone-in cuts.
  • Handle knives with care when chopping vegetables and fish.
  • Hot oil and spices can splatter; use a lid or splatter guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry in Indian-inspired cuisine?

A

The One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry blends traditional Indian lentil (dal) and fish curry techniques, reflecting coastal Indian regions where legumes and seafood are staples. Historically, combining lentils with fish provided a balanced protein source and was valued for its warming, medicinal qualities. In modern health‑focused cooking, the anti‑inflammatory spices highlight Ayurveda’s influence on Indian food culture.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry in Indian cuisine?

A

In Indian cuisine, similar lentil‑fish stews appear in Kerala (fish moilee with lentils), Bengal (machh daal), and coastal Maharashtra (amboli). Regional variations adjust the spice blend, coconut milk proportion, and type of fish, using mustard seeds in Bengal or curry leaves in South India. The One-Pan version simplifies these by using a universal spice paste and red lentils.

cultural
Q

What is the authentic traditional way One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry is served in Indian households or festivals?

A

Traditionally, One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry would be served hot in a shallow steel or earthenware dish, accompanied by steamed rice or flatbreads like chapati. Garnishing with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a side of pickled vegetables is common in Indian households. The dish is often shared family‑style at the center of the table.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry traditionally associated with in Indian culture?

A

In Indian culture, lentil‑fish curries are popular during monsoon festivals and coastal harvest celebrations, such as Onam in Kerala or the fishing community’s “Matsya Puja”. The nourishing, warming qualities make it suitable for post‑fast meals during religious observances. While the anti‑inflammatory version is a modern twist, it fits the spirit of health‑focused celebrations.

cultural
Q

How does One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry fit into the broader Indian-inspired cuisine tradition?

A

The One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry exemplifies Indian-inspired cuisine’s emphasis on layering spices, balancing protein sources, and using coconut milk for richness. It reflects the Ayurvedic principle of combining “sattvic” (lentils) and “tamasic” (fish) foods to promote digestion and inflammation reduction. This dish bridges traditional flavor profiles with contemporary wellness trends.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Authentic ingredients include red lentils (masoor dal), fresh tomatoes, ginger, garlic, red chilies, mustard seeds, curry leaves, coconut milk, and a firm white fish such as monkfish, cod, or pollock. Acceptable substitutes are brown lentils for a nuttier texture, canned diced tomatoes for convenience, or other white fish like tilapia. However, replacing coconut milk with dairy alters the characteristic creaminess and aroma.

cultural
Q

What other Indian-inspired dishes pair well with One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry?

A

Complementary Indian-inspired dishes include basmati rice pilaf with cumin, garlic naan or whole‑wheat roti, and a cooling cucumber‑yogurt raita. A side of spiced cauliflower (aloo gobi) or sautéed mustard greens adds vegetal balance. For a full meal, serve with a simple mango chutney to contrast the curry’s heat.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry?

A

Common mistakes include overcooking the red lentils, which turn mushy and lose their shape, and adding the fish too early, causing it to fall apart. Using too much water can thin the sauce, while insufficient simmering prevents the spices from melding. Also, neglecting to fry the spice paste properly can result in a raw, bitter flavor.

technical
Q

Why does this One-Pan Anti-Inflammatory Lentil & Fish Curry recipe use a homemade spice paste instead of pre-made curry powder?

A

The recipe uses a homemade spice paste because toasting whole spices and grinding them with aromatics releases fresher, more complex oils than pre‑made curry powder, which can be stale. A paste also ensures even distribution of flavor throughout the one‑pan cooking process. This technique preserves the anti‑inflammatory potency of ginger, garlic, and fresh chilies.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Unknown specialize in, and how does it approach Indian-inspired cooking?

A

The YouTube channel Unknown, though unnamed, specializes in health‑focused Indian-inspired cooking videos that adapt traditional recipes for modern diets. Its style emphasizes quick, one‑pan or one‑pot methods, detailed spice‑making tutorials, and explanations of the anti‑inflammatory benefits of each ingredient. The channel often highlights ingredient swaps that retain authentic flavor while catering to dietary needs.

channel

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