This is one of mamma's special curry which she learnt from her elder sister at Kottapuram. Kottapuram is a fish lover's delight. My aunt lived right in front of the backwater and her kids were good at fishing. I enjoyed watching them impress everyone with their fishing skills. My aunt made fish curry in a different style from Mamma's home. We don't saute any ingredients usually in fish curries its always steamed or boiled but this is one such curry where we actually saute the ingredients in oil. Well that means a lot to mamma , I guess so she calls it her sister's style- the Kottapuram style.
Ingredients for Fishcurry Kottapuram style
Fish- 1 kg cut and cleaned
Shallots- 200gm
Garlic- 200gm
Curry leaves- 6-10
Crushed Chilli powder- 2 tsp
Kashmiri chilli powder- 2tsp
Turmeric powder- 2tsp
Coconut oil - 2tsp
Ginger- 1 inch minced
Tamarind (kodampulli) - 2-3
Salt- 2 tsp
Directions
Clean the fish and wash it well. Slit the fish and keep it aside this will let the masala get into the skin.
Wash the tamarind and soak it in water. Use drinking water as we will use this tamarind alongwith the water for the curry later. Crush the shallots and garlic and set aside. In a pan ( I use terracotta pot for fish curries)
Heat oil in the pan and saute the crushed garlic, shallots and minced ginger alongwith curry leaves.
When it's golden brown add the crushed chilli, kashmiri chilli and turmeric powder. Add the tamarind and 1 cup water to this masala.
Add the salt and let the gravy reach boiling point.When it boils add the fish and let it simmer for 25 minutes. Before taking the dish off the fire add a spoonful of oil.
Labels: Fish, Kerala dishes, Seafood
