Buttery Herb Rice, Golden Fish, and a Spicy Cabbage Sauce
This Garlic Butter Herb Rice with Spicy Cabbage Sauce & Seasoned Fish by Nks Kitchen LLC brings three flavorful components together on one plate. White rice is toasted in garlic butter with sage, oregano, thyme, and basil before simmering until tender, giving every grain a savory herb flavor.
The fish is seared until golden, then the same pan becomes the base for a colorful cabbage sauce loaded with red onion, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, spring onions, curry, thyme, paprika, and fiery habanero. Served together, the buttery rice balances the spicy vegetables while the seasoned fish makes it a satisfying dinner for two.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Herb Rice
- 2 cubes of butter
- 1 tsp garlic
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 cups white rice, washed
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
For the Seasoned Fish
- 1 cube butter
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 swai or basa fillets
- Seasoning for fish, as desired
For the Spicy Cabbage Sauce
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 red chili pepper
- 2 habanero peppers, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp seasoning powder
- 1 tsp seasoning salt
- 3 bell peppers, julienned
- 3 stalks spring onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, grated
- 1/2 head cabbage, shredded
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Start the Herb Rice
- Melt 2 cubes of butter over medium heat.
- Add the garlic, sage, oregano, thyme, and basil, stirring until fragrant.
2. Toast & Cook the Rice
- Add the washed rice and toast, stirring continuously, until lightly golden.
- Add 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt, cover, and cook until the rice is tender.
3. Sear the Fish
- Melt 1 cube butter with the vegetable oil in a pan.
- Add the seasoned fish fillets and sear until golden on both sides and cooked through.
- Remove and set aside.
4. Build the Cabbage Sauce
- In the same pan, sauté the red onion and garlic paste.
- Add curry powder and thyme, followed by tomatoes, red chili, habanero, paprika, seasoning powder, and seasoning salt.
5. Add the Vegetables
- Stir in the bell peppers, spring onions, carrots, and shredded cabbage.
- Cover and cook briefly until the vegetables are tender while retaining some texture.
6. Plate & Serve
- Spoon the garlic butter herb rice onto each plate and serve with the spicy cabbage sauce and golden seasoned fish.
Pro Tips & Suggestions
- Toast the rice until lightly golden for deeper flavor.
- Stir continuously while toasting to prevent the rice from burning.
- Adjust the habanero peppers to your preferred heat level.
- Cook the cabbage briefly so the vegetables don’t become overly soft.
About the Creator
This recipe is by Nks Kitchen LLC, the creator behind @nks_kitchen. Known for colorful, generously seasoned meals, Nks Kitchen brings together bold spices, vegetables, proteins, and comforting staples in satisfying home-cooked dishes.
Nks Kitchen LLC | @nks_kitchen