FISH MOLEE

Fish molee is one of the most popular seafood dish in Kerala.Its a mild tasting,non-spicy dish prepared with coconut milk.Its very easy to prepare, the extraction of coconut milk being the only hard job here.It is at its best only when a fresh fish is used,preferably a firm fleshed fish like king fish,pomfret or even cod.I used king fish.In US you can find it in any Asian grocery stores. There is not many spices used in this dish,coconut milk is the main ingredient so a bad fish can totally ruin the taste.Fish molee is usually served along with rice or Aappam.

INGREDIENTS

For Marination:-

King fish or any firm fleshed fish - 1 lbs

red chilli pdr - 1 tsp

turmeric - 1 tsp

lemon juice - 1 tbsp

salt to taste

For Gravy:-

onion - 1 medium size, sliced

tomato - 2 medium size,diced

ginger - 1 tbsp

coconut milk, 1st extract - 11/2 cup

coconut milk, 2nd extract - 2 cups

curry leaves - of 1 sprig

turmeric - 1 tsp

green chillies - 4 nos, slit

lemon juice - 1 tbsp

salt to taste

METHOD

Wash and clean the fish.Pat it dry.Marinate it in a mixture of lemon juice,turmeric,red chilli pdr and salt for about 1 or 2 hrs in the refrigerator.

Heat some oil in a pan.Add the curryleabes.green chilies and ginger.Saute for a minute and then add the onions.Add salt.Stir it until the onions become soft and translucent.Add turmeric and tomatoes.Stir it for a couple of minutes.Then add the 2nd extract of coconut milk.Add salt and stir well.Let it come to a boil.Now add the marinated fish pieces.Hold onto the sides of the pan and swirl it until the fish is well totally immersed in the gravy.Do not stir using a spatula.That will break the fish.Cover the pan and let it cook for 5 mins or until the fish is cooked.A fresh fish cooks really fast.So do not turn away from the stove.Ones done switch off the flame and add the 1st coconut milk extract and lemon juice and gently swirl it again until its fully blended with the rest.Garnish with coriander leaves and curry leaves.Serve with aappam or rice.

Another popular seafood dish in kerala is Meen pollichathu.Click here for my recipe.

SHRIMP CURRY

I love shrimp as much as i love fish.Shrimps are a great source of calcium and proteins.One has to be very careful while cooking with it though.It has to be properly cleaned and deveined before cooking with it.They cook really fast ,maximum 2-3 mins.Overcooking it will make it chewy and rubbery in texture.They taste great when fried or baked or cooked in curries.Here is a simple shrimp curry i came across in Madhur jaffrey's book "From Curries to Kebabs".I marinated and stir fried the shrimps for a few seconds before adding it to the gravy.That gave them a nice crust and great flavor.They were a great accompaniment with rice.

INGREDIENTS

Raw shrimp - 15 nos,shell on,peeled and deveined

Shallots - 8 nos ,sliced

Tomato - 1 medium size,finely chopped

garlic - 2 cloves,finely chopped

ginger - 1 tsp , grated

cumin seeds - 1 tsp

fennel seeds - 1 tsp

coriander pdr - 1 tbsp

cumin pdr - 1 tsp

turmeric pdr - 1/2 tsp

red chilli pdr - 1 tsp

kashmiri chilli pdr - 2 tsp

canned coconut milk - 1 /4 cup

tamarind paste - according to taste

lemon juice - 1 tsp

water - 1/2 cup

cilantro - to garnish

curry leaves - of 1 sprig

salt to taste

oil

METHOD

In a bowl mix a tsp each of coriander pdr,red chilli pdr,turmeric,salt and some lemon juice.Add the shrimps and marinate them for 15 mins-half an hr.In a pan add some oil and when they get really hot add the shrimp and stir fry them for abt 15-30 secs.Do not cook them fully.Remove and keep aside.

In another pan,heat some oil over medium heat.Add cumin seeds and fennel seeds.When they turn golden brown add curry leaves.Stir ones then add shallots, garlic and ginger.Fry them till the shallots turn golden brown.Stir in the tomatoes and cook until they soften,mash them with the back of a wooden spoon.Add coriander,cumin,turmeric,red chilli and kashmiri chilly pdrs.Mix it all thoroughly and then add water,tamarind paste and salt.Stir and bring it to a simmer.Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for another 10-15 mins.Now add the coconut milk.Bring it to a simmer and add the shrimps.Stir it ones and cook it for 2-3 mins.Do not overcook the shrimps.Turn off the heat as soon as they are done.Garnish with coriander leaves.Serve hot with rice.

Also check what my friends are doing in their kitchen!!!

1) DK

2) Siri

3) Srivalli

4)PJ

5)Curry Leaf

6)Medha

7)Priya

8)Bhawna

9)Raaji

10)Ruchii

11)Anu

12)Kamala

13)Roopa

14)Divya Kudua

15)Rekha

16)Divya M

17)Lakshmi

18)Raaga

19)Lakshmi Venkatesh

20)Sripriya

21)Viji

22)Pavani

23)Kamalika

24)Karuna

25)Roochi