Sunday, November 7, 2010

Meen Vevichathu / Kudampuli etta Meen Curry / Spicy Fish Curry

Each region in Kerala has its own version of Fish Curry with its own unique flavor. The version here is the Kottayam Style Spicy Fish Curry which uses Kudampuli (Coccum), where as if you go to the Trivandrum side you would find fish curries that uses Vaalan puli (Tamarind). The Fish Curry here is also referred to as the Toddy Shop Fish Curry (Shappile Meen Curry) as it is the kind served in the toddy shops in Kerala. The taste of this curry is enhanced when served the next day. It would be ideal to use a 'manchatti' (Earthen pot) which also adds to the taste of the curry.


Serves 8-10 people
Coconut Oil- 3 tbsp
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves- 2 twigs
Fish- 1 lbs (I used Tilapia; Any kind of fish is fine)
Shallots - 1/2 lbs
Ginger Garlic Paste- 2 tbsp
Coccum- 4 pieces
Water- 2 1/4 cup + 7 tbsp
Kashmiri Chilly Powder- 3 tbsp
Turmeric Powder- 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder- 1 tbsp
Fenugreek Powder- 1/2 tsp
Salt- to taste

  1. Add the coccum pieces to a cup of water and keep aside.
  2. In a mixer, grind the shallots with no or little water. You do not have to make it a fine paste.
  3. Mix Kashmiri Chilly Powder, Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder and Fenugreek Powder with 7 tbsp of water and keep the powder paste aside. This is a spicy curry; adjust the chilly powder as it suits your taste.
  4. In a pan or earthen pot, heat the coconut oil.
  5. When the oil is hot, splutter the mustard seeds and 1 twig of curry leaves.
  6. Add the ground shallots to the oil and saute until all water is evaporated and it starts to become a light brown color.
  7. Add the ginger garlic paste and saute again until the raw smell is gone.
  8. Add the powder paste to pan and saute again until all the water is gone and oil starts to ooze out. This could take 7-10 minutes in a medium flame.
  9. Now add the Coccum with the water and add the remaining water as well.
  10. Add salt to taste and let it boil.
  11. Add the fish pieces and swirl the pan itself so that the fish is immersed in the curry. Do not use a spoon to mix from this point, as it will break the fish pieces.
  12. When the curry starts to boil, turn off the stove and close the pan with a lid and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.
  13. Garnish with remaining Curry leaves and serve.


As mentioned earlier, if made ahead the taste is enhanced. This goes well with Mashed Tapioca (Kappa) and  Rice. 

33 comments:

  1. Fish Kuzhambu looks tangy and delicious...

    simplehomefood.com

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  2. Spicy and delicious curry..lovely color,drooling

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  3. Pretty tempting and pic is so gorgeous. Love the clay pot. Steps are pretty detailed with good tips. Gr8 job!

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  4. wow luks very tempting and delicious...u captured it nicely.

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  5. KOllamallo. oru plate enikum koode tharumo Fathima..Adipoli aytund, aaa curryde oru colore...

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  6. wow!what a beautiful color!One of my fav fish curry.Looks so spicy and yummy.

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  7. HI fathima,

    The meen curry looks awesome...Love the colour...:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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  8. Really tempting fish curry!! Love it with rice and kappa puzhukku..

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  9. Fingerlicking fish curry, very tempting..

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  10. Spicy fish curry looks to be so mouthwatering. Love the way you have put all your skill into it.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  11. adipoli ayittundallo ithiri choru kudi undenkil njan muzhuvanum teerkum

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  12. oooooo....give it to me....lov it...i am hungry.
    Biny

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  13. Nice presentation and looks delicious....

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  14. its truely divine..well presentes red tangy fish curry...

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  15. OMG>>>Superb workk....The Color of the pic seems like a Diwali design.Ever wonder whether u have visited the so called 'Toddy Shop'.hehe....!

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  16. love the pic..yummy curry
    yeah i know it happens...adipoli combo alle ithu :)

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  17. very delicious and looks oh so good!

    US Masala

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  18. That looks super yummy !!!! very lovely fish curry !!

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  19. That looks and sounds fantastic!

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  20. Adipoli..entha color..sherikum kothiyavunu!!

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  21. Hey nice presentation and also fish curry looks so delicious....adipoli ayittundu..

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  22. Dear Fatima
    Ei Ul Ada Mubaraq to you all.
    How come I missed this dish? Must try as soon as I am back.
    Have a nice week

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  23. There's nothing quite like Kerala-style fish curry! What a gorgeous color.

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  24. Owh no, I've come here late! What an inviting fish curry! Perfect with hot steaming rice! :D

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  25. Delicious fish curry! A must for curry fan like me. Steamed rice here it comes!! Thanks Fatima for sharing!

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  26. wow!! what a click!! will go definetely with pathiris... thnx a lot for sharing! :-)

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  27. Hi Fathima..smashing recipe and even more beautiful pics! I have made a similar fish curry called Boatman's fish curry and have posted in my blog. It's slightly different. Do chk it out though and let me know wat u think. Happy to be a follower! If u like me, do follow my blog! God bless!

    Neets
    neetustastytreats.blogspot.com

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