Chettinad Fish Fry

Ingredients

• Surmai darnes 400 grams
• Salt to taste
• Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon
• Lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon
• Garlic cloves roughly chopped 7-8
• Ginger roughly chopped 1 inch
• Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon
• Fennel seeds (saunf) 1 teaspoon
• Coriander seeds 2 teaspoons
• Black peppercorns 2 teaspoons
• Red chilli powder 1 teaspoon
• Tamarind paste 1 teaspoon
• Oil 1 teaspoon + 2 tablespoons for shallow frying

Method

• Marinate fish pieces with salt, turmeric powder and lemon juice and set aside for fifteen minutes.
• Put garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, salt, red chilli powder and tamarind paste in a mixer jar and blend to a smooth paste.
• Apply this paste to the fish pieces and set aside for an hour.
• Heat two tablespoons oil in a non-stick pan and shallow fry the fish from both sides till properly cooked.
• Drain on absorbent paper. Serve hot.