Fish Curry Kodavas Style Recipes

FISH CURRY | INDIAN FISH MASALA

Steps:

• Marinate fish with ½ tbsp ginger garlic paste, ⅛ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp red chilli powder & ¼ tsp salt.
• On a flat fry pan, heat 1 tsp oil. Fry fish pieces slightly until the raw smell goes away just for 2 to 3 mins on both sides. You can also sear the fish. Keep this aside. (refer picture below)
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pot and add cumin. When they sputter, add onions and saute until lightly golden.
• Next add ginger garlic paste and saute for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes & ½ tsp salt. Saute until tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
• Next add coconut, fennel seeds (optional), red chili powder & turmeric. Fry until the mixture turns fragrant & raw smell has gone away.
• Cool this & add to a blender jar along with 2 to 4 tbsps water. Blend to a smooth or coarse paste to suit your liking. (refer notes). You can also use a immersion blender. Keep this aside.
• Add 1 tbsp more oil to the same pot used earlier. Heat up on a low flame.
• When the oil turns slightly hot, add curry leaves & green chilies.
• When they splutter, add the ground onion tomato paste and garam masala. Fry until the mixture smells good. If you feel it is not hot enough for your taste, then add more chilli powder at this stage & saute.
• Pour 1 ¼ to 1½ cup water. Mix and bring it to a boil. Cook until you see traces of oil on the surface and the gravy thickens a bit.
• Gently slide the fish pieces and cook covered on a medium heat.
• Carefully flip or turn the pieces to the other side after 3 to 4 mins.
• Cook until the fish pieces bulge a bit. This is the indication they are cooked completely. Taste the curry and add more salt if needed.
• Optionally garnish fish curry with coriander leaves if desired.

THAI FISH CURRY

Steps:

• Cut the fish into pieces about 2-inches wide. Dry the fish with a paper towel then rub 1 tablespoon of the curry paste over the pieces.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. (See notes.) Add the onion, ginger, and garlic and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of curry paste, coconut milk, water, fish sauce, and sugar. Add the veggies and bring the pot to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the fish. Cover the pot and cook for 5 minutes, or until the fish is no longer opaque. If your fish is quite thick, you may need to flip the pieces over and cook for 1-2 minutes more.
• Serve with a little minced cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.

FISH CURRY (KODAVAS-STYLE)

Steps:

• Cut each mackerel into 2 pieces and make a few cuts on the surface of the fish, so the marinade can permeate the inside of the fillets. Place fish into a bowl and add 1 1/2 tablespoons ground turmeric, 1 tablespoon tamarind paste, 2 teaspoons salt, and 2 to 3 cups water. Stir to dissolve salt and soak fish in the marinade, about 10 minutes.
• Discard liquid and rinse fish twice under cold running water. Return fish to a bowl and add chili powder, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons ground turmeric, 1 tablespoon tamarind paste, and salt to taste. Mix well and set aside.
• Combine cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, and mustard seeds in a dry skillet and toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes, shaking skillet repeatedly so spices don't burn.
• Remove coconut meat from coconut and chop. Combine toasted spices, coconut, garlic, and ginger in a mortar and pestle and grind into a paste, adding a little water as necessary to get the consistency of the masala right. Mix in onions and green chili.
• Heat oil in a heavy pot. Add masala paste and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add marinated fish and check water level. You might need to add more water. Simmer until fish flakes easily with a fork and sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt to taste.