Fish Fry(Baked Fish)/Kerala Fish Fry

Ingrediants:
Maharashtrian bombay marathi style fish dish

4 big mackerels(Fish) cut into 2-3 pieces each and insides cleaned thoroughly
1 teaspoon(s) turmeric powder
1 tablespoon(s) lemon juice
4 teaspoon(s) red chilli powder
1 tablespoon(s) garlic paste
1 tablespoon(s) ginger paste
1 teaspoon(s) coriander powder
1 tablespoon(s) tamarind pulp or kokum peels pulp
4 tablespoon(s) slightly coarse rice powder
salt to taste
oil to deep fry
onion rings and lemon wedges to garnish (optional)
Method:

1. Wash the mackerels thoroughly. Apply some salt, turmeric powder and lemon juice. Keep aside for 10 minutes.
2. Marinate the mackerels with the rest of the ingredients except rice powder preferably in a refrigerator for about an hour.
3. Heat the oil till it is very hot. Roll the mackerels in rice powder one by one and and deep-fry in batches on medium heat till they are crisp.
Garnish with onion rings and lemon wedges.

TIPS:
* Mackerels can be fried whole as well. Clean the insides, wash well and make deep incisions or gashes on both sides and proceed as above.
* To make this recipe a low fat one, the marinated mackerels can also be shallow fried or grilled with a minimum amount of oil instead of deep frying.
* Kokum is a fruit whose peels are sun dried and stored to use as a souring agent. It is very abundant in the western coastal region of India and is used in most of the recipes there. However, tamarind pulp could be used instead.
* Traditionally, fried fish is made very spicy and had with steamed rice and gravy. Fried mackerels can also be had as a snack with a dip or a chutney.

Serve hot with: Green Chutney (Hari Chutney) accompanied with a tall glass of chilled Appetizing Kokum in Yoghurt (Quick Sol Kadi) or with Appetizing Kokum in Coconut Milk (Sol Kadi) poured over hot boiled rice.



Variation:kerala Style
Ingredients for “Kerala Fish Fry”

500 grams skinless firm White Fish, slices or pieces well washed
1 Tablespoon finely sliced Garlic
1 Tablespoon Ginger Juliennes
4 Green Chillies, slit
1 medium Onion, finely sliced
1 teaspoon Red Chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 small raw Mango, sliced or Tomato, chopped
2 cups Water
1 sprig Curry Leaves
2 Tablespoons Oil
Salt to taste

Method for “Kerala Fish Fry”

Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pan till hot. Add the garlic, ginger, green chillies and onions. Saute for about 4 minutes. Add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder, curry leaves and salt. Saute briefly. Add the water and raw mango slices/chopped tomato. Bring to a boil. Drop in the fish and mix gently. Cover and cook on low for about 10 minutes or till the fish is cooked and the gravy is semi-dry. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Preparation time: 8-10 minutes
Cooking time: 20-22 minutes
Serves: 4