All set for Christmas?
Since Christmas is almost here I dont want to take much of your time, so we will straight away go to the recipe.
“Meen Pollichathu” is a much sought after Kerala delicacy. Malayalees love for fish is well known and I'm no exception. But there is a slight catch to it, I'm not a fan of Karimeen, which is considered as the most fav fish in Kerala. I somehow cant enjoy it at all. Most of the time, Karimeen is used to make this dish and because of that I never got to taste it.
Last year when we attended a wedding in Kerala, Meen Pollichathu was also there on the wedding menu. I didnt even go that side, thinking it must be Karimmen Pollichathu. But to my surprise, it was Neymeen (kingfish) and so I finally got to taste this wonderful dish! From that time, onwards it was on my list.
I was under the impression that it's a very tedious and time consuming process to make it. Trust me, it's very easy and simple to put together. This dish is very flavourful. I've used fish steaks here, but if you are using karimeen, you can use a whole fish.
Hope you get to try this during this holiday season.
We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas!! May this festival season bring you loads of love, joy and happiness!!
Here is the recipe…
Marinate the cleaned fish pieces with turmeric powder, pepper powder and salt. Fry the marinated fish pieces till it's half done, around 2-3 mins on each side…
Heat oil in a pan and add sliced small onion. When it becomes golden brown, add crushed ginger, garlic and chopped green chilli. Fry for 2-3 mins…
Add chilli and coriander powder and mix well. After 2-3 mins, add a tbsp of hot water and mix well…
Add chopped tomato, curry leaves and salt and mix. Add 2 tbsp of hot water and cook till tomato becomes soft…
Add 1/4 cup of coconut milk and mix well. Cook till the masala has become thick…
Place some masala on the Banana leaves and place the fried fish on top of it. Cover the fish with another layer of masala…
Roast the wrapped fish on a hot tava, flip and cook till both sides are done. Keep it covered for another 5 mins and open the parcel and serve…
Please read the notes section before proceeding with the recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Cleaned fish steaks / filet (225 gms (measured after cleaning))
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp Pepper powder
- 15-18 Small / pearl onion (sliced)
- 2 tsp Crushed ginger
- 2.5 tsp Crushed garlic
- 1-2 Green chilli
- 1.5 -2 Chilli powder
- 1.5 tsp Coriander powder
- 1 small – medium Tomato (chopped)
- 1/4 cup Medium thick coconut milk
- Salt
- Curry leaves
- Coconut oil
- 1 big Banana leaves
Instructions
- Make gashes on both sides of the cleaned fish. Marinate the fish pieces with turmeric powder, pepper powder and salt. Keep aside for 10-15 mins. Fry the marinated fish pieces till it's half done, around 2-3 mins on each side.
- Heat oil in a pan and add sliced small onion. When it becomes golden brown, add crushed ginger, garlic and chopped green chilli. Fry for 2-3 mins. Add chilli and coriander powder and mix well. After 2-3 mins, add a tbsp of hot water and mix well. Add chopped tomato, curry leaves and salt and mix. Add 2 tbsp of hot water and cook till tomato becomes soft.
- Add 1/4 cup of medium thick coconut milk and mix well. Cook till the masala has become thick.
- Clean the banana leaves (refer notes) and wilt it slightly by placing it on the gas flame and flipping the sides.
- Place some masala on the leaves and place the fried fish on top of it. Cover the fish with another layer of masala. Wrap the banana leaves and make a parcel. Tie it with banana fibre or cooking thread.
- Roast the wrapped fish on a hot tava, flip and cook till both sides are done, 3-4 mins on each side.It is better to cook on the low heat for the flavours to seep in. Keep it covered for another 5 -10 mins and open the parcel and serve.
Notes
Yummy recipe ..tried it today
Hi Maria..im very new to cooking, i tried this receipe and it came out very goood..super tasty..thanks!
Dear Maria, I’m a big time follower of ur recipes. I just love ur casual informal style of writing as much as I love ur clear, simple way of putting down ur recipes. I trust u & ur recipes immensely so hv no doubts about how a dish will turn out if i follow ur recipe…Thanks a ton for being my cooking guide. I made the Meenpollichathu with Karimeen and it was yummy & finger licking.
Hi Dipti,
Thanks a ton for your lovely feedback, it did bring a big smile on my face :) I’m really happy and touched to know that you trust the recipes here. Thanks again for being a wonderful reader.
Happy cooking!
Cheers
Maria
I just made this, unfortunately did not have a banana leaf but used foil and baked it and must say it was still brilliant. Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Hi Rajeev,
Thank you so much for your comment :) Good to know that it worked out well for you. Try it with banana leaf when you get it, it adds more flavour to the dish.
Cheers
Maria
It was really awesome….all of us njoyed the dish…thanks Maria….u r great
Hi Shery
Thanks a lot :) Good to know that this recipe worked out well for you.
Cheers
Maria
hi maria htis is really delicious…i,v tried it n my whole family just loved… it thank u so much
Hi Anna,
Thank you so much :) Good to hear that it came out well for you.
Cheers
Maria
The recipe looks delicious. Is there any way to do this without the banana leaves? Thanks.
Hi Nithya,
Thank you :) I’ve mentioned in the notes section that you can use al.foil instead of banana leaves.
Cheers
Maria
If I use aluminium foil, it wont be possible to roast it on a tava right? Should i use the oven instead then?
Hi Reshma,
To my knowledge, you can use al.foil to roast on tawa also, so it’s not necessary to bake it.
Hope you get to try it sometime and like it too..
Cheers
Maria