SPICY RED FISH CURRY
Ingredients
Directions
One of the key ingredients in this fish curry is Kodampuli / Kokum i.e a kind of black tamarind. I have searched online but haven’t been able to find an English name for it except the scientific term - Garcinia Indica. It gives the fish curry a tangy flavor, and lends a dark shade. It is washed thoroughly and soaked in water for a few minutes.
The red colour comes from red chili powder that is used in generous quantity. It is mixed with coriander and turmeric powder to which a little water is added to make it into a paste.
Grind the ginger and shallots to paste.
As I have mentioned before, traditionally fish curries in Kerala are cooked in a mann-chatti – earthenware pan. Customarily coconut oil is used for an authentic flavor. Other oil can also be used. Fry some shallots in the mann-chatti. Add the ginger-onion paste when shallots are brown.
Fry for sometime and add the chili paste.
Fry for sometime and add the Kodampuli / Kokum alongwith the water it was soaked in. Add the fish, curry leaves and a pinch of methi powder (powder made of dried fenugreek seeds).
Cook for 15-20 minutes till it reaches slightly thick consistency. There is no need to stir or the fish pieces may break. You can gently move the mann-chatti around a bit for the ingredients to mix well.
Ingredients
Directions
One of the key ingredients in this fish curry is Kodampuli / Kokum i.e a kind of black tamarind. I have searched online but haven’t been able to find an English name for it except the scientific term - Garcinia Indica. It gives the fish curry a tangy flavor, and lends a dark shade. It is washed thoroughly and soaked in water for a few minutes.
The red colour comes from red chili powder that is used in generous quantity. It is mixed with coriander and turmeric powder to which a little water is added to make it into a paste.
Grind the ginger and shallots to paste.
As I have mentioned before, traditionally fish curries in Kerala are cooked in a mann-chatti – earthenware pan. Customarily coconut oil is used for an authentic flavor. Other oil can also be used. Fry some shallots in the mann-chatti. Add the ginger-onion paste when shallots are brown.
Fry for sometime and add the chili paste.
Fry for sometime and add the Kodampuli / Kokum alongwith the water it was soaked in. Add the fish, curry leaves and a pinch of methi powder (powder made of dried fenugreek seeds).
Cook for 15-20 minutes till it reaches slightly thick consistency. There is no need to stir or the fish pieces may break. You can gently move the mann-chatti around a bit for the ingredients to mix well.