Steamed Halibut with Sothi Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 shallots, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced onion
• 2 tablespoons ghee or clarified butter
• 1 clove garlic, sliced
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 green chile, minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons hot curry powder
• 3 fresh curry leaves* (See Cook's Note)
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• Pinch saffron
• 2 cups fish stock, recipe follows
• 13 1/2 ounces canned coconut milk*
• 2 tomatoes, cut in quarters
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups basmati rice
• Kosher salt
• 6 star anise
• 2 stalks lemon grass, white part only, chopped
• 2 (1-inch) pieces fresh ginger, sliced
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 2 pounds halibut, cut into 6 portions, skin and bones removed
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper