Ina Garten’s Spicy Shrimp And Swordfish Curry Recipe

Spicy, aromatic seafood curry promises a tantalizing journey through vibrant flavors and bold coastal inspirations.

Complex spice blends transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience that awakens every taste bud.

Succulent ocean proteins mingle with fragrant seasonings, creating a harmonious medley of textures and sensations.

Warm, rich undertones of traditional cooking techniques elevate this dish beyond simple meal preparation.

Layers of carefully selected spices build depth and complexity that surprise and delight.

Mediterranean and southeast asian culinary influences shine through each carefully constructed bite.

You can expect a restaurant-quality meal that impresses without requiring professional chef skills: dive into culinary adventure!

Mix It Up with Coconut or Tamarind Hints

• Coastal Medley Curry: Replace swordfish with a mix of sea bass, halibut, and scallops for a diverse seafood experience that brings ocean flavors together.
• Coconut Cream Fusion: Add 1/2 cup coconut milk to enhance the curry's richness and create a silkier, more tropical-inspired sauce with deeper complexity.
• Vegetarian Sea Swap: Substitute seafood with firm tofu cubes and add roasted cauliflower or eggplant chunks to maintain the recipe's hearty texture and spice profile.
• Green Herb Enhancement: Stir in fresh chopped cilantro and mint just before serving to brighten the curry's depth and add a fresh, vibrant layer of flavor.

Curry Close That Leaves You Warm Inside

Ina Garten’s shrimp and swordfish curry emerges as culinary poetry, blending Mediterranean and Indian influences with remarkable sophistication.

Complex spice layers dance through tender seafood, creating an elegant nautical symphony of flavors.

Caribbean-inspired ingredients weave rich textures that transport palates across global cuisines.

Mediterranean cooking techniques merge seamlessly with aromatic spices, producing balanced harmony in each profound bite.

Delicate proteins absorb nuanced seasonings, revealing Garten’s masterful recipe craft.

Passionate chefs and adventurous home cooks will discover pure gastronomic magic – savor this masterpiece, share its delightful secrets, spark conversations about its extraordinary complexity, and let culinary inspiration flourish.

Why Shrimp and Swordfish Curry Packs a Punch

• Burst with Exotic Spice Blend: This curry explodes with a complex mix of curry powder, cloves, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, and coriander, creating a mouthwatering symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.
• Master Seafood Perfection: Carefully cooked shrimp and swordfish remain tender and barely opaque, showcasing a delicate cooking technique that preserves the natural sweetness and texture of the seafood.
• Quick and Elegant One-Pot Wonder: Transforms from raw ingredients to a restaurant-quality meal in under 40 minutes, making it an impressive yet manageable dish for home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Layered Vegetable Depth: Slowly caramelized onions, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, and jalapeño create a rich, aromatic base that elevates the entire curry with deep, complex undertones of sweetness and heat.

What Goes Into This Bold Seafood Bowl

• Curry Powder: Warm, aromatic base that gives the curry its signature flavor and depth.
• Cloves: Adds a sweet, pungent warmth to the spice mixture.
• Cumin: Earthy and slightly nutty spice that enhances the overall complexity.
• Turmeric: Provides golden color and subtle earthy undertones.
• Cayenne Pepper: Brings heat and vibrant spiciness to the dish.
• Coriander: Adds a light, citrusy note to the spice blend.

• Onions, Bell Pepper: Create a sweet and savory foundation for the curry.
• Garlic, Ginger: Provide intense, sharp flavor and aromatic base.
• Jalapeno Pepper: Adds fresh, green heat to the dish.

• Shrimp, Swordfish: Fresh seafood that forms the protein core of the curry.
• Tomatoes: Provide acidity and rich, smooth texture to the sauce.
• Clam Stock: Adds depth and marine complexity to the curry.
• Butter, Oil: Create a rich, smooth cooking medium for the ingredients.
• Lime Zest, Lime Juice: Bright, citrusy element that brings freshness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance flavors.

How to Simmer Your Way to Flavor

Step 1: Prepare Spice Blend

• Curry powder
• Cloves
• Cumin
• Turmeric
• Cayenne pepper
• Coriander

Set the spice mixture aside for later use.

Step 2: Start Cooking Base

• Melt butter
• Add cooking oil

Use medium-low heat for even cooking.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetable Mixture

• Onions
• Bell pepper
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Jalapeno pepper

Cook for 15 minutes until vegetables become tender and start caramelizing.

Step 4: Incorporate Spices

Stir in the prepared spice mixture from Step 1.

Whisk continuously for 2 minutes to release aromatic flavors.

Step 5: Build Curry Sauce

• Tomatoes
• Tomato juice
• Clam stock
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 6: Cook Seafood

• Shrimp
• Swordfish

Simmer covered for 7 minutes. Avoid overcooking to maintain seafood’s delicate texture.

Step 7: Finish And Serve

• Lime zest
• Lime juice

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve hot and enjoy the vibrant curry.

Tips for That Perfect Curry Texture

• Pick the Perfect Seafood: Select fresh, firm swordfish and plump shrimp from a trusted fishmonger to ensure top-quality flavor and texture.
• Master Spice Balance: Gradually add curry powder and adjust heat with cayenne or red pepper flakes to create a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
• Prevent Seafood Overcooking: Watch the fish and shrimp closely, removing them from heat when just barely opaque to maintain their delicate, tender texture.
• Enhance Curry Depth: Toast whole spices briefly in the pan before adding liquid to release their essential oils and create a more complex, aromatic curry base.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Let the curry rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and serve warm over fragrant basmati rice for the ultimate dining experience.

Store It Right—Seafood Safety First

• Vacuum Seal: Protect the delicate curry flavors by using a vacuum sealer. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the seafood's tender texture, ensuring maximum taste preservation when you're ready to enjoy your meal again.
• Portion Control: Divide the curry into individual serving sizes before storing. Pack each portion in separate airtight containers or freezer bags, making reheating convenient and preventing unnecessary thawing of the entire batch.
• Glass Container Method: Store curry in high-quality glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Glass prevents flavor absorption, keeps ingredients fresher longer, and allows easy monitoring of food condition without opening the container repeatedly.

Ina Garten Shrimp And Swordfish Curry Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s shrimp and swordfish curry brings together Indian-inspired flavors with elegant coastal ingredients. Creamy coconut sauce, aromatic spices, and perfectly seared seafood create a Mediterranean-meets-Mumbai culinary adventure you’ll savor with enthusiasm.

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Ingredients

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Spices:

• 1.5 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.125 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 0.125 teaspoon ground cloves

Seafood:

• 1.5 pounds swordfish, skin removed and 1-inch-diced
• 1.5 pounds (16- to 20-count) peeled and deveined shrimp (2 pounds in the shell)
• 2 cups (16 ounces) canned diced plum tomatoes, including the juice
• 2 cups clam stock, such as Bar Harbor

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 5 cups chopped yellow onions (4 onions)
• 1 Holland red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 0.25-inch-thick strips
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
• 2 tablespoons grated, then minced, fresh ginger
• 1.5 tablespoons seeded, minced jalapeño pepper
• 4 tablespoons (0.5 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Zest and juice of 1 lime

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Instructions

1. Create a harmonious spice blend by combining curry powder, whole cloves, ground cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and ground coriander in a small mixing bowl. Reserve this aromatic mixture for later use.
2. Select a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot (approximately 11-12 inches in diameter) and gently melt butter, then incorporate cooking oil to prevent burning.
3. Introduce finely chopped onions, diced bell peppers, minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and finely chopped jalapeno peppers into the pot. Allow the vegetables to sauté over medium-low heat for approximately 15 minutes, developing a rich caramelized texture and releasing their natural flavors.
4. Sprinkle the prepared spice mixture into the vegetable base, whisking continuously for 2 minutes to activate and distribute the aromatic compounds. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato juice, clam stock, of salt, and 1½ teaspoons (7.5 grams) of freshly ground black pepper.
5. Elevate the liquid to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to establish a gentle simmer. Allow the broth to develop depth for 10 minutes, creating a robust flavor foundation.
6. Carefully introduce seafood components, ensuring shrimp and swordfish are nestled gently into the simmering liquid. Cover and cook for approximately 7 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent overcooking and maintain the seafood’s delicate texture.
7. Finish the dish by delicately folding in freshly grated lime zest and squeezed lime juice. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, then serve piping hot to preserve the vibrant flavors.

Notes

• Experiment with different shellfish like shrimp or scallops for unique texture variations.
• Quick-cooking method preserves delicate maritime flavors and prevents rubbery consistency.
• Select wild-caught seafood when possible for superior taste and sustainability.
• Pair with crisp white wine or citrus-based cocktails to complement the dish’s bright profile.
• Kitchen hack: freeze herbs in olive oil cubes for instant flavor boosters during preparation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg