Kerala Style Fish Curry

Kerala Style Fish Curry with Mackerel
CategoryDifficultyIntermediate
Yields2 Servings
Prep Time30 minsCook Time30 minsTotal Time1 hr

Ingredients for Kerala Style Fish Curry

 2 Mackerel Fish (ആയല / അയല - Ayala), Cleaned and Prepped
 5-6 Tbsp Coconut Oil (വെളിച്ചെണ്ണ - Veḷicceṇṇa)
 8 Shallots (ചെറിയ ഉള്ളി - Cheriya Ulli), Cut in half
 1 Tomato (തക്കാളി - Thakkali), Diced
 Small Lemon-sized piece Tamarind (പുളി - Puli)
 1 tsp Mustard Seeds (കടുക് - Kaduku)
 1/4 Tsp Fenugreek Seeds (ഉലുവ - Uluva)
 1 Inch Ginger (ഇഞ്ചി - Inji), Chopped
 6 Garlic Cloves (വെളുത്തുള്ളി - Vellulli), Sliced
 2 Sprigs Curry Leaves (കറിവേപ്പില - Kari Vepila)
 3 Green Chillies (പച്ചമുളക് - Pachamulaku), Slit
 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder (മഞ്ഞള്‍ പൊടി - Manjal Podi)
 1 Tsp Coriander Powder (മല്ലിപ്പൊടി - Mallipodi)
 2 tsp Red Chilli Powder (മുളക് പൊടി - Mulaku Podi)
 Salt (ഉപ്പ് - Uppu), To Taste

Directions for Kerala Style Fish Curry

Prepare Tamarind Water
1

Soak a small ball of tamarind in warm water for 15-20 minutes. Squeeze the pulp to extract the liquid, discarding the solids. Set aside.

Prepare the Shallot and Tomato Paste
2

Heat oil in a pan and sauté shallots until golden brown. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, cook tomatoes until softened. Remove and set aside.

3

In the same pot, cook tomatoes until softened. Remove and set aside.

Cook the Curry
4

In the same pot, heat oil, add mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds, let them crackle.

5

Add ginger, garlic, curry leaves, and green chili. Sauté until fragrant.

6

Add turmeric, coriander, and red chili powder. Sauté until aromatic.

7

Mix in the shallot-tomato paste, then add tamarind water and salt.

8

Stir to combine, cover, and boil for 6-7 minutes.

9

Add mackerel fish, gently shake the pot to coat the fish, cover, and cook until the fish is done, occasionally shaking the pot. Remove from heat.

Tempering
10

Heat oil in a tempering pan, add mustard seeds and let them crackle.

11

Add shallots and dry red chilies, frying until shallots are golden. Add curry leaves and mix.

12

Pour the tempering over the fish curry, give the pot a final shake.

13

Kerala style fish curry with Mackerel is ready to serve.

Kerala Style Fish Curry with Mackerel

Ingredients

 2 Mackerel Fish (ആയല / അയല - Ayala), Cleaned and Prepped
 5-6 Tbsp Coconut Oil (വെളിച്ചെണ്ണ - Veḷicceṇṇa)
 8 Shallots (ചെറിയ ഉള്ളി - Cheriya Ulli), Cut in half
 1 Tomato (തക്കാളി - Thakkali), Diced
 Small Lemon-sized piece Tamarind (പുളി - Puli)
 1 tsp Mustard Seeds (കടുക് - Kaduku)
 1/4 Tsp Fenugreek Seeds (ഉലുവ - Uluva)
 1 Inch Ginger (ഇഞ്ചി - Inji), Chopped
 6 Garlic Cloves (വെളുത്തുള്ളി - Vellulli), Sliced
 2 Sprigs Curry Leaves (കറിവേപ്പില - Kari Vepila)
 3 Green Chillies (പച്ചമുളക് - Pachamulaku), Slit
 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder (മഞ്ഞള്‍ പൊടി - Manjal Podi)
 1 Tsp Coriander Powder (മല്ലിപ്പൊടി - Mallipodi)
 2 tsp Red Chilli Powder (മുളക് പൊടി - Mulaku Podi)
 Salt (ഉപ്പ് - Uppu), To Taste

Directions

Prepare Tamarind Water
1

Soak a small ball of tamarind in warm water for 15-20 minutes. Squeeze the pulp to extract the liquid, discarding the solids. Set aside.

Prepare the Shallot and Tomato Paste
2

Heat oil in a pan and sauté shallots until golden brown. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, cook tomatoes until softened. Remove and set aside.

3

In the same pot, cook tomatoes until softened. Remove and set aside.

Cook the Curry
4

In the same pot, heat oil, add mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds, let them crackle.

5

Add ginger, garlic, curry leaves, and green chili. Sauté until fragrant.

6

Add turmeric, coriander, and red chili powder. Sauté until aromatic.

7

Mix in the shallot-tomato paste, then add tamarind water and salt.

8

Stir to combine, cover, and boil for 6-7 minutes.

9

Add mackerel fish, gently shake the pot to coat the fish, cover, and cook until the fish is done, occasionally shaking the pot. Remove from heat.

Tempering
10

Heat oil in a tempering pan, add mustard seeds and let them crackle.

11

Add shallots and dry red chilies, frying until shallots are golden. Add curry leaves and mix.

12

Pour the tempering over the fish curry, give the pot a final shake.

13

Kerala style fish curry with Mackerel is ready to serve.

Notes

Kerala Style Fish Curry
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