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.
