Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Fish Fry-Kerala style/Naadan meen varuthathu

Kerala is a southern state in India bound by the Arabian Sea on its west. The sea coast historically brought the state traders and invaders.  When one enriched the other plundered. All the same, the coastline dotted with tall coconut trees and the blue waters beyond lend to our culture and cuisine. Every bit of the coconut tree its leaves and fruit are all used for food and shelter. The variety of fish we enjoy from the sea are myriad and obviously holds an important part in cuisine. It is not my intention to expound further on the subject but I hope you see why our food has so much coconut gravy and seafood. This will also help you understand why 84 % of the population is non-vegetarian, unlike most of the other states in India.

Talking about being vegetarian reminds me how I stopped eating meat and fish listening to some weird stories from our maid. She made such an impact with her stories that I stayed a vegetarian for almost 8 years of my life. When I left for college and had to stay in a hostel; I realized that it is hard to remain a vegetarian in a hostel run by nuns. There I decided to try non-veg dishes. I am so glad about the decision now. The food in that hostel was the best I had compared to the hostels I would stay later in my life during degree and post graduation. The fish fries, chicken curry, beef fry, beef curry, beef cutlet, everything was fantastic. Thereafter I have remained a non-vegetarian till date :-)

Today I want to share one of my favorite fish recipes; the fry. Its crispy outside and juicy inside will leave you wanting more. Fish ,like I said, holds pride and a very important place in our cuisine. I know some of you are vegetarians and may not want to switch places like I did but you can try the marination as explained below on brinjal sliced in one inch rounds and shallow fried. Hope the taste will transport you to the breezy, coconut swaying coastlines of Kerala.

Fish Fry

Ingredients:

Fish pieces(Preferably big fishes like, Kingfish (neymeen)) - 1lbs
Chilli powder- 3 Tsp
Pepper Powder- 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek Powder- a pinch
Ginger- Garlic paste- 1 tsp
Salt
Curry leaves- 1 sprig
Coconut oil/any other cooking oil- 3-4Tbsp

Method:

1.Make a thick paste of all the powders with salt and ginger-garlic.
2.Mix well with fish pieces, by taking each piece and applying the marinade on it and marinate for at least 30 minutes in refrigerator.
3.Heat oil in a non stick frying pan.
4.Throw in the fish pieces along with curry leaves and fry until fish is cooked well and the pieces turn brown in color.If you cover this with a lid, it will reduce the mess in the kitchen and also avoids the smell from frying to certain extend.
5.Serve warm with rice and curry or mashed tapioca.

Fish Fry

Notes:

1.You could add lemon juice/vinegar if you like the tanginess. I do not add these.
2.For those who want it more spicier can add more pepper powder and chilli powder.
3.Coconut oil gives the authentic taste :-), but you could use any other oil.

44 comments:

  1. wow....tempting fish fry dear.....lovely clicks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. kandittu kothiaavunuu.1 piece eduthoothai

    ReplyDelete
  3. oh wow love Kerala went there for our honeymoon and the fish is the best in the world love it
    I write for an Alaskan Seafood company could this be featured with a link back to you?
    rebeccasubbiah at yahoo dot com

    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  4. The fried fish looks really great!! I love fried stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I leant this dish from my friend's mother who is from Kerela :)
    Looks very delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just love fried fish.. Lovely color dear and very simple and easy recipe...will try this soon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Innale kazhiche ullu..pakshe ithu kandappo...vaayil vellam niranju...eniku vishakunne nami..:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Daa.... kappa thirichu vachu photo eduthu alley,he he...kidilan fry and spicy click..

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to have right now this fish fry! Delicious :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. This looks yummy! I love fried fish but I never made them at home. I don't think I have ever eaten Kingfish. I will research about this fish. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  11. wow, I think I need to have dinner at your house!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fish Fry is looking very very tempting

    ReplyDelete
  13. Same for me.. only after I started staying in a hostel I started with non-veg food (chicken and seafood). Now I am so glad I did though! Fish fry looks fantastic.. didn't cook with coconut oil before, but will try it soon!

    ReplyDelete
  14. awesome click... I love my fried fish too...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yum! Looks wonderful, thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  16. wow....soo inviting :)
    as usual the pic is xcellnt :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. HAppy NEw Year Gulmohar, Fish fry looks very tempting, my MIL makes similar kind...I love it...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fish fry looks mouthwatering,i love to have fried fish instead of using it in gravy...and ur way of cooking fish is really nice,curry leaves certainly gives a very nice flavour to it and lovely clicks as usual

    ReplyDelete
  19. happy new year...the fish fry luks yummm...must try dish

    ReplyDelete
  20. aah! nice to see the fish fried in Kerala style.

    Vishakunneee!! pakshe chor karikyan samayam aayitilla ( I am feeling hungry!, however it is not the right time to have lunch)

    I liked your description about Kerala. Nicely prepared fish. Good work boss!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Fish look delicious with all those spices in there!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow !! I am @ work and I just can't stop drooling over your snap; I am just juggling with code page and mozilla page with your fish :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. wow!!nice click and nice fish fry..

    ReplyDelete
  24. Delicious fish fry! Nice writing :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Punelottu oru parcel.....Kandittu control kitunillalltooooo...

    ReplyDelete
  26. I like to fry fish with curry powder, but never try this way, must try out soon.

    ReplyDelete
  27. hi dear,

    please collect ur award from my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I Love Fish..Awesome Fish fry. Loved ur write-up, and this fish as you suggested looks crispy on the outside and for the inside..I'll have to taste it first..rt..so can I have some pls..Beautiful, mouthwatering Clicks.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Drooooooooooooooooool worthy recipe and presentation...

    ReplyDelete
  30. That looks splendid...want them right now!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is the only dish with fish which is my favorite. Otherwise I am not a fish lover much. Yummy!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow..beautiful description about our kochu keralam..oru nalla ezhuthukariyanu ketto..sherikkum.
    Fish fry kidilan..:)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mouthwatering recipe and great clicks. Way to go Namitha !

    ReplyDelete
  34. hey nice fish dish...it luks spicy n yummm

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for your time, everyone..Your words of appreciation keeps us going :-)
    Rebecca; That's a great encouragement:-)
    Simply Life : You are most welcome, at any time :D
    Sangee & Dolly: That plate is for you :D
    Faiza: Let me know once you try it, Sure you will like it :-)
    Tina : Parcel ayachittunde...

    ReplyDelete
  36. wow, that's a delicious pic of the fish fry you have there. adding fenugreek powder to fish fry is something i should try soon. Good one !

    ReplyDelete

We are glad you visited us and welcome your valued opinion.