Remember the ‘Red-hot Kerala Fish Curry’ Arundhati Roy had described in her Booker Prize winning novel “The God of Small Things”…? ‘Meen Vattichathu’ is something Kerala Christians, especially those from Central Kerala love to have everyday with hot rice! This mouth-watering fish curry is usually prepared in an earthen pot or ‘manchatti’ which makes it more flavorful. It tastes better and better as it sits and can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Ingredients
King (Seer) Fish – 1/2 kg cut into cubes
Shallots – 10 sliced
Ginger – 1 tbsp chopped
Garlic – 1 tbsp chopped
Green chillies – 3 slit
Curry leaves – 4 sprigs
Kudampuli/ Gambooge – 4 to 5 pieces
Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds/ Uluva – 1/8 tsp
Coriander powder – 2 tsp
Kashmiri chilly powder – 4 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
Water – 2 cups
Salt – to taste
Coconut oil – 2 tbsp
Method
Soak kudampuli in half a cup of water and keep aside. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds. Add shallots (I used one onion), ginger, garlic, green chillies and curry leaves and saute till they turn light brown. Add a little water to the spice powders to form a paste. Now add this paste to the pan and saute till the raw smell goes. Add the soaked kudampuli along with the water. Add more water and salt to taste. Mix well and keep it covered till it boils. Open the lid and add the fish pieces. Keep covered and cook on a medium flame till the oil starts to float on top of the curry. Yummy ‘Meen Vattichathu’ is ready to be served. Enjoy!
So so delicous, last time i had fish curry like this was when i was in India.
ooh..i m drooling…both of us are from kottayam..and we love this the best…
Looks so yummy…
enikkippo venam lissie dea..!!!
Tempting and droolworthy fish curry..am hungry now!
Adipoli!!! Very spicy, tempting and yummy fish curry..Would like to try it sometimes for the fish fans in my home 😀
Lissie my hubby will love this!! im going to try it tomorrow 🙂
I think this is the first time I’ve seen a fish curry and love the idea.
Ye ye, I do remember. Looks fiery 🙂 It can be stored for 1 week, you are not kidding?
Lovely.. I love this curry.. By the way, my mom is from Aiymanam the place Arundathi Roy write about in her book.
Slurppp….. can I come over…
Wow…looks aromatic and yum…
My absolute fav.. never get tired of seeing this curry. haven’t got good kingfish in a while tho. Happy Hols to u and family.
Nalla ugran meen curry! This is my favourite preparation using fish! 🙂
Lissie i have an award for you in my blog please pick it up! 🙂 Merry Xmas 🙂
Soooooooooooooo delicious..
superb ….