Orange Roughy on Rice with Thai-Spiced Coconut Sauce

Prepared Thai curry paste helps a dish develop complex flavor in no time. If you have red paste and would like to use it in place of the yellow, add only one-and-a-half teaspoons.

ingredients
1 cup jasmine or other long-grain rice
1 1/2 cups water
1 2/3 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk
2 teaspoons yellow Thai curry paste (see Notes)
1/3 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce (see Notes) or soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Pinch turmeric
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds orange-roughy fillets, cut to make 4 pieces
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1/3 cup cilantro leaves (optional)
4 lime wedges, for serving

directions
Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Put the rice in a small saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cook, covered, for 15 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and let sit, without removing the lid, for 10 minutes.

In a medium saucepan, heat the thick coconut milk from the top of the can over moderate heat. Add the curry paste and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Whisk in the remaining coconut milk, the broth, fish sauce, brown sugar, turmeric, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 7 minutes.

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. Coat the fish with the flour mixture and shake off any excess. In a large nonstick frying pan, heat the oil over moderately high heat.

Put the fish in the pan, skinned-side down, and cook until golden, about 3 minutes.

Turn and continue cooking until just done, about 2 minutes longer for 1-inch-thick fillets. Mound the rice on plates and top with the fish and the sauce. Sprinkle with the cilantro, if using, and serve with the lime wedges.

NOTES Thai curry paste and Asian fish sauce are available at Asian markets and many supermarkets

The perfumed heat of this dish with its full-bodied coconut sauce makes a cold beer a great companion. If you prefer wine, experiment with a moderately priced sparkling one from California.