Fish Fry - Red Masala

Ingredients

1 Black Pomfret - you get approximately 7 to 8 medium sized pieces

2 teaspoons salt + 2 teaspoons turmeric - to marinate the fish

15 dried red chillies (I used byadgi mirchi)

3 teaspoons tamarind paste

12 cloves garlic

salt to taste

a mixture of semolina and rice flour for coating

oil to shallow fry 

Method

Clean the fish and marinate it in the salt and turmeric mixture and let it rest for atleast 1/2 hour.

In a blender - make a fine paste of the red chillies, tamarind paste, garlic and a little salt - add very little water. The mixture should have a paste consistency. Add more salt if needed.

Apply this mixture to the fish pieces on both sides. store it in a glass container - cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for atleast 5 hours - if overnight, its the best.

When ready to fry - take a pan and add oil upto 1/4 inch inside the pan. Coat the marinated fish in the semolina and rice flour mixture and fry in the oil over medium heat. It takes 10 minutes per side to get a nice crispy fried crust.

Enjoy with plain rice and yellow dal or fish curry.