Kingfish/Surmai Masala Fry

When in Mumbai recently, we went to the famous Mahesh Lunch Home for some coastal Karnataka treats. One dish that stood out there was this Surmai Masala fry where a huge chunk of Surmai was served in delicious masala. The taste lingered on much after I came back to Hyderabad and I decided to cook this one.

I have replicated the dish out of memory and added some ingredients which I thought were there. Cant vouch that this is the original recipe but it came quite close.

This is one succulent fish dish and tastes even better with Neer Dosa – a must try for true fish lovers and lovers of the south indian spices.

Here is my recipe for Kingfish(Surmai)/Pomfret Masala fry

 

Ingredients

(For 2 big pieces of fish)
Fish ( king fish (surmai), pomfret (paplet))
2 tsp chilly powder
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 Lemon

1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 medium sized Onion finely chopped
2 small tomatoes finely chopped
6 dried red chillies
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp grated coconut
5-6 garlic flakes
Curry Leaves
Oil (preferably coconut oil)
Salt

Method

1. Cut and clean the fish and set aside.
2. Make a paste of 1 tsp chilly powder, pinch of turmeric, juice of 1/2 a lemon and little salt and apply on the fish and set aside to marinate. The fish should marinate for atleast 30 mins.
3. Grind together the red chillies, cumin, coriander seeds, garlic flakes and coconut. Add 2 tsp chopped onions while grinding to a fine paste.
4. In a non stick pan heat 2 tsp oil (preferably coconut oil) and add mustard seeds when the oil is hot.
5. When the mustard seeds splutter, add the remaining chopped onions and 2 sprigs of curry leaves. Fry the onion till pink (dont let it brown)
6. Next add the tomatoes and fry well.
7. When the tomatoes are mushy, add the masala paste and cook till the oil separates from the masala. Add salt according to taste.
8. Now add the fish pieces to the pan and coat it with the masala and cook for 5 mins on one side.
9. Turn over the fish carefully and cook for another 2-3 mins.
10. The fish is ready to be served. You can serve it with Neer Dosas or rice.

Tagged with: appetizers, coconut, fish, king fish, konkani, south indian, surmai, tulu