Meen Pollichathu (Fried Fish wrapped in banana leaf with masalas )

 

Ingredients

Pearl spot /Seabream or any firm fish of your choice - 1

Banana leaf -1

Cooking twine

Oil for frying

To marinate

Red chilli powder - 1 1/2 tbs

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp

Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbs

Fennel powder - 1/2 tsp

Salt

For masala

Shallots (sliced ) - 1 cup

Tomato -2 small

Redchilly powder - 1 1/2 tsp

Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Corainder powder - 1tsp

Salt

 Ginger (minced ) - 1 tbs

Garlic minced - 1 1/2 tsp

Green chillies - 2 nos

Curry leaves - 2 strings

 

Method

1.Clean the fish and cut some gashes on both sides and marinate with ingredients under " to marinate " for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

2.In a saucepan add some oil and saute sliced shallots until brown.

3.Add green chillies, ginger, garlic, curry leaves and saute for 1-2 minutes.

4.Add all the spice powders  and saute until raw smell goes.

5.Add chopped tomatoes and salt. Cook until tomatoes are mushed and masala is a paste.

6.Meanwhile shallow fry the fish for 5 minutes on each sides.

7.Wilt a  banana leaf for few seconds on both sides on gas top (to avoid leaf tearing)

8.Spread the cooked masala paste  on banana leaf and place the fish on top, cover the top and sides of  the fish with masala and wrap the fish in banana leaf and tie the parcel with  a cooking twine.

9.Cook the fish parcel  in a frying fan for 10 -15 minutes !