These days its quite easy to make fish curry by simply adding “fish curry masala” or some other instant powders and convince ourselves that “well, its not too different from what my grandma used to make ” 🙂 . It  is different from what grandma made. Here is the recipe for the traditional fish curry, definitely will be worthy of the efforts.

Fish cleaned and cut and rubbed with turmeric powder and salt. (I have Tilapia here, Mackerel and King fish are better options.)

shallots (or onions), tomatoes, garlic and curry leaves

In a spoon of oil (I am using sesame oil – which enhances the flavor of this curry), fry the spices.

Grind them with some curry leaves to a smooth paste.

Dilute the masala and add tamarind and jaggery(vellam or brown sugar) to it. Add turmeric powder and salt to the mix and set aside.

Add sesame oil to the pan and fry some mustard seeds. Sauté the onions, garlic and curry leaves.

Sauté the tomatoes.

when the tomatoes soften, add the masala.

Let the curry boil and reduce.

When its almost done , place the fish in the curry. reduce the heat, cover and cook without stirring.

The fish will  cook in 5 mins , cover and set aside for 30 mins before serving.

Serve with steamed rice. The curry tastes even better the next day ( there are movie songs written about the taste, if you won’t take my word for it 😉 )