Go Back
leeks peppers and fish stakes with spices

Devilled fish and leeks salad

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Sri Lankan
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. fish steaks firm fish like tuna, mackerel, amberjack
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp freshly crushed black pepper
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup water
For the tempered salad
  • 2 leeks Stem and some of the soft green leaves included
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 2 Campari tomatoes
  • 2 cloves of Malabar tamarind
  • 1 small onion minced
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 inch ginger minced
  • 5 curry leaves
  • 1 piece of pandan leaves optional
  • 2 tbsp of oil
  • 2 tsp of oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp red chili flakes
  • 2 tsp yellow curry powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp lime juice

Equipment

  • 1 clay pot optional

Method
 

  1. Place fish in clay pot mixed with salt, pepper, turmeric, Malabar tamarind. Add water and cook on low heat until fish is cooked through and firm. Break in to bite sized flakes/ pieces and set aside. discard Malabar tamarind.
  2. Trim the leeks of roots, tip of the leaves. Rinse well and slice into thin rings.
  3. Cut bell pepper into small strips and quarter the tomatoes.
  4. Heat a skillet on medium heat and add oil. When the oil is at smoking point add mustard seeds and fry for few seconds, add ginger garlic, onions, curry leaves, pandan leaves and green chili. fry for a minute.
  5. Add sliced leeks, bell pepper fry for 3 to 4 minutes. add yellow curry powder, oyster sauce, mustard sauce, and red chili flakes. mix everything gently. taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Add cooked fish pieces and gently mix everything in. Turn the heat off and add lime juice.

Video

Notes

Notes:
  • Some recipes use fried fish, instead of boiled. I prefer boiled fish flakes in this salad, however if you would like to fry the fish steaks do so! It is delicious too. Instead of boiling, dust the fish with curry powder, black pepper and salt infused flour and deep fry or air fry until firm and golden.  You can then follow the rest of the recipe to make the salad.
  • You could skip using chili flakes if you like mild flavor instead of spicy.
  • What are the other proteins that can be used in this recipe? Dried fish, bacon, Italian sausages, grilled chicken, beef steaks, grilled paneer,
  • Want to keep this completely plant based? Skip fish and use grilled firm tofu or tempeh and omit adding oyster sauce and add a vegan coconut amino sauce. It will have a different flavor, but still be delicious.