| 3 | tb | Canola oil |
| 1 | md | Onion; halved and thinly sliced |
| 2 | | Cloves garlic; minced or pressed |
| 1 | | Quarter-size slice fresh ginger; peeled and finely minced |
| 1 | sm | Whole fresh red or green chiles; up to 2, cored, seeded,finely minced |
| 1 | ts | Minced lemongrass; (about 1/2 stalk), up to 2 |
| 1 | | 1-inch piece cinnamon stick |
| 2 | | Whole cloves |
| 3 | | Whole green cardamom pods |
| 1/4 | ts | Ground turmeric |
| 1/4 | ts | Ground cumin |
| 1/8 | ts | Freshly ground black pepper |
| 1 1/2 | c | Coconut milk; preferably low-fat |
| 1 | lb | Red snapper fillet; cut in 1inch pieces, OR large shrimp, peeled and deveined, , up to 1-1/4 |
| 1/2 | ts | Salt or to taste |
| 2 | tb | Shredded fresh cilantro leaves |
| | Yellow or red chile or bell pepper flower; (for garnish) |
| | Fresh lime wedges |
