Pearl spot fish fried in banana leaf - Karimeen Pollichathu

The most delicious dish I have experienced is Pearl spot fish fried in banana leaf (Karimeen Pollichathu) in Grand Hotel Cochin. Pearl spot fish (popularly known as Karimeen) is a tasty fish whether it is fried simply or fried in banana leaf. The dish is so popular in Kerala, God's Own Country. You can get the dish in star hotels as well as toddy shops. Here is step by step guide on how you can make delicious Pearl spot fish fried in banana leaf

Serves: 4

Ingredients

Pearl Spot Fish/Karimeen - 4 fish cleaned and side slit

Coconut oil - for frying

Tender banana leaves - to wrap the fish in while cooking

Method of cleaning pearl spot fish:

1)Slice the thick coating of thick scales on pearl spot fish with a sharp knife.

2)A cutting board can be used to rub the fish. Use salt while you rub the fish against a rough surface. Do clean inside out.

3)Wash the fish in clean water and then soak it in curd/lemon juice to get rid of bad smell of the fish.

4)Take the fish out of the curd/lemon juice after half an hour. Wash the fish again in clean water.

5)Make side slits through the fish.

Ingredients For the paste:

Shallots - 10

Onions - 1 big

Ginger - 2" piece

Garlic - 10 cloves

Chilly Powder - 1 tablespoon

Pepper powder - 2 teaspoon

Vinegar - 2 teaspoon

Curry leaves - 2 strands

Salt - As needed

Preparation Method

Grind together pepper powder, shallots, ginger and garlic into a coarse paste.

Add chilly powder, turmeric and salt and little water to make the masala to a paste form.

Rub it all over the fish inside out.

Wrap the fish in banana leaf

Leave it covered for half an hour for the masala to be absorbed into the fish.

Fry it in coconut oil on both sides, until it turns dark brown.

Serving Method

Serve hot in a plate along with the banana leaf with onion rings, tomatoes, cucumber and a piece of lime.

Below is a video on how a prepare pearl spot fish fried in banana leaf is prepared in toddy shops.

The video courtesy goes to Welcome to Kumarakom

This is my entry for the Master Chef Contest on IndiBlogger.