This 20-minute Kerala recipe for Chattiyil pollicha meen or pot fish curry uses less oil


This 20-minute Kerala recipe for Chattiyil pollicha meen or pot fish curry uses less oil

Traditionally made using a clay pot, this dish is a medley of spices and vegetables...



guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Guide to making chattiyil pollicha meen Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, eating fish can boost your heart health. Lucky for those of us who do love our seafood, this dish uses quite a number of fish pieces, a little less oil and spices, and does not compromise on taste at all. The key ingredient of this dish is the pomfret fish, but you could substitute it with a fish of your choice in case the pomfret isn't easily available.

So here's a very simple fish preparation for those who often run short of time to whip up a tasty meal...

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time : 20 minutes

Serves: 3

Ingredients 

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Here's what you'll need (from left to right): Coconut milk powder, coconut oil, turmeric powder, salt, black pepper powder, curry leaves, garlic cloves, green chillies, ginger, tomatoes and onions Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese
  1. 500 gms pomfret fish
  2. ½ tsp turmeric powder
  3. 1 tsp black pepper powder
  4. Salt to taste
  5. 4 medium-sized onions
  6. 2 tomatoes
  7. 4 green chillies
  8. 1 piece of one inch ginger
  9. 4 cloves garlic
  10. 1 tbsp coconut oil
  11. 2 sprig curry leaves
  12. ¼ cup water

Method

Step 1: Clean the fish thoroughly and make a deep slit in the fish for the marination to permeate

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Clean the fish thoroughly Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 2: Marinate the fish with item number turmeric powder, salt and black pepper powder. Keep it in the fridge for 30 minutes.

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Time to marinate it... Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 3: Chop the onions and tomatoes, slit the green chillies through the middle and crush the ginger and garlic together. Keep them aside in separate bowls.

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Chop the ingredients and keep them aside... Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 4: Heat a thick-bottomed clay pot on a medium-high flame. Add in the chopped onion and stir it continuously. Once the onion slices become hot, add a tablespoon of coconut oil and sauté it till it turns translucent.

Step 5: Add the slit green chillies and stir for few seconds. Next, add the crushed ginger and garlic mix and stir for another few seconds. Add salt to taste.

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Add green chillies, ginger and garlic... Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 6: Add half the portion of the chopped tomatoes and mix it well. Cover the pot with a lid and cook it for about 3 minutes on a low flame.

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Add in the tomatoes... Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 7: Add the curry leaves, and then place the marinated fish on top of the cooked gravy. Add the remaining chopped tomato pieces on top of the fish and pour ¼ cup of water.

Step 8: Close the pot with its lid once again and cook it on a low flame for about 10 to 12 mins. Turn the fish to the other side at regular intervals so that the spices blend well.

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Add in the fish and cover it with the rest of the tomatoes Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 9: You can add 150 ml of coconut milk (100 ml of thick coconut milk and 50 ml of water) into the pot to thicken the gravy.

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Add in a bit of coconut milk.. Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Note: After adding the coconut milk, make sure to not bring it to a boiling point. This preparation can be made with sardines, pearl spot fish or with mackerels.

Step 10: Serve and eat with steamed rice or rotis (flatbreads)

guide-to-making-chattiyil-pollicha-meen
Serve and enjoy! Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese
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