MEEN POLLICHATHU / baked fish with Indian spice

Karimeen Pollichathu is one of Kerala’s traditional delicacies. I have tried the same recipe with mackerel  and u lack banana leaf so replaced with aluminium foil . But taste yumm...mmy .... 

Ingredients:

 Mackerels :                    250 g

Ginger:                                       1 Inch 

Garlic:                                        6 to 7 

Green chilli :                    3 sliced 

Onion (chopped):                    2 

Curry leaves :                       2 springs

Chilly Powder:                         2 Tsp

Turmeric Powder:                  1 Tsp

Coriander Powder:                 2 Tsp

Lime Juice:                              1 Tbsp

Salt:                                          

Coconut Oil :                           25 ml

Banana leaf/ aluminium foil 

For marination:

1 teaspoon pepper powder
2 teaspoon chilli powder

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lime juice

Method of Preparation

First clean the fish thoroughly and using a knife make 3-4 gashes on each side of the fish.   Make a paste of all the ingredients for marination. Marinate the fishes using that. Keep it aside for one hour.

Heat coconut oil in a frying pan and add finely chopped onions. Once they start turning brown, add crushed ginger and garlic and green chilli . Then add chilli powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder and saute well. Add lime juice and salt as per your taste. Keep it on simmer till you see oil clear up on the surface of the gravy. Turn the stove off and let it cool.

Take a banana leaf / aluminium foil and place a fish and a sprig of curry leaf on it. Then pour some gravy over the fish. Smear the gravy well on both sides of the fish. Cover and seal the sides of the banana leaf/ aluminium foil , Grill both sides evenly in hot tawa or oven grill. Serve hot with salad and a piece of lime!