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…
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.
Recipe Notes
I used black pomfret (karutha avoli) for this recipe. You can use Karimeen, Kingfish or I think even salmon will work out, if you like the taste of salmon.
I like the fish to be covered in masala, but if you prefer less masala, adjust the qty of ingredients accordingly.
You can also use al.foil instead of banana leaves and follow the same recipe. You can use kodampuli (kokum) instead of tomato. If using kodampuli, soak 1 big piece in hot water for 10 mins. Add the soaked kodampuli, in place of tomato and follow the rest of the recipe.
If you are using coconut milk powder, add 2 tsp coconut milk powder to 1/4 cup lukewarm water to get medium thick coconut milk.
Remove the middle vein of the leaves and use it. It's not necessary to wilt the leaves, but it helps in holding the shape while folding it.
You can marinate the fish and also prepare the masala one day in advance and refrigerate if you like.
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
Hi Anna,
Thank you so much :) Good to hear that it came 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
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
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
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
Hi Maria..im very new to cooking, i tried this receipe and it came out very goood..super tasty..thanks!