Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils
Updated Mar 08, 2022, Published Jan 27, 2018
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Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils is a healthful and flavorful way to spice up a date night dinner! Serve Roasted Curry Cauliflower Wedges with Cilantro Chutney on the side!
The inspiration behind this recipe:
Although January has 31 days just like a number of other months, it always seems longer than that to me. It’s cold, dark and dreary. Besides dealing with January weather, we’re all trying to eat healthier and plan for the year that lies before us. Sometimes it feels as though January will never end!
I wanted to take a break from all that! Something exotic and colorful like this Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils was in order!
How to make Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils:
- First, get the lentils going. Red lentils, also referred to as pink lentils or masoor dal, cook much faster than brown or green lentils. Besides the fact they cook faster, I love red lentils because they cook to a soft, almost sauce-like consistency that pairs well with a simply-prepared protein such as this fish.
- While you could certainly make your own curry powder blend for the lentils, I use a good quality blend from a local Indian grocery store.
- Then, cook the fish. Combine all the spices for the fish in a small bowl. This combination packs a real flavor punch: They include:
- Hungarian paprika
- Ground cumin
- Ground coriander
- Ground turmeric
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Hungarian paprika is more pungent than regular sweet paprika. It’s available in any grocery store, however, if you can’t find it or don’t wish to buy it, use sweet paprika and just add a little more cayenne.
- Almost any fish will work with this dish such as salmon, trout, grouper, cod, etc. I used barramundi which is an Asian sea bass but Chilean will also work.
- Encrust the fish with a generous amount of the spice blend. Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, then add the fish and brown it well on both sides. Place it in the oven to finish cooking.
That’s it! This dish is amazing as is, but a cooling raita or a dollop or two of yogurt is a lovely addition!
Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils!
Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs, add a little bit of yogurt if desired and you’ll forget all about the long month of January!
Be sure to check out some of my other delicious Indian-inspired meals!
- Curry-Braised Chicken Thighs
- Meatballs in Spicy Curry
- Indian Root Vegetable Curry
- Curried Roast Vegetables
- Vegan Indian Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils
Ingredients
Lentils
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, or coconut oil
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 small red bell pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon curry powder, hot or mild
- 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- 2-3 cups vegetable broth, or chicken broth (as needed)
- 3/4 cup red lentils
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
- Lime wedges, optional
- Plain yogurt, optional
Fish
- 1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 (6-8 ounce) sea bass fillets, skinned
- 1 tablespoon canola oil, or coconut oil
Instructions
Lentils
- Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook 3-4 minutes or until it begins to soften. Add carrot and red bell pepper. Continue to cook 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are very soft.
- Add garlic, ginger and curry powder, stir several times and cook briefly or until fragrant (no longer than 30 seconds or these can burn). Add tomatoes and vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add lentils, reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 20 minutes or until lentils are very tender, adding more vegetable broth if needed. Add vinegar then season to taste with salt and black pepper. Stir in cilantro and serve with fish.
Fish
- Prepare fish while the lentils cook. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne, black pepper and salt on a plate. Coat fish fillets well on all sides.
- Heat oil in a skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the fish and cook 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven and bake 10 minutes or to an internal temperature of 145 degrees and fish easily flakes with a fork.
- Serve over lentils with lime wedges, plain yogurt and garnished with cilantro sprigs.
Notes
- Almost any fish will work in this recipe--even salmon.
- The lentils can be made 1 day ahead of time. Refrigerate then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
This was great and even my husband loved it!
Hi, Ali, Thanks so very much and glad you and your hubby enjoyed!
I’m in love with the spice mix for this sea bass! It gives it the perfect cozy kick. Can’t wait to make this again.
Hi, Amanda, Thanks so very much and so glad you enjoyed!
My sister who loves seafood will enjoy making this recipe a lot. Sea bass in Indian spices sounds delicious!
Thanks, Sophie! Hope she enjoys!