Mackerel (Surmai) Fish Curry-مچھلی کا سالن

I remember this fish curry was one of my very first “difficult” recipes. It has an amazing undertone of the Fenugreek and the curry is easy to make; takes less than 30 minutes.

Serves:4-6

Fish:

Ingredients:

• 1kg Mackerel steaks with bone (you can substitute any other fish, but make sure that steaks have bone in them)
• 1/2cup gram flour/besan
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup water
• 4 tbsp oil

Method:

1.  In a bowl mix gram flour, water and salt and make a paste.
2. Marinade the fish in this mixture for half an hour. This will help reduce the smell.
3. Wash the fish to remove the paste and then place in a strainer to drain the water.
4. Heat oil in a pan on medium to high heat. Fry the fish steaks for three minutes on each side. Do not overcook the fish.

Curry/Gravy:

Ingredients:

• 2 medium onions
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 inch ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp dried Fenugreeek leaves
• 1/2 cup yogurt, whisked
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 cup oil

Method:

1. Place the onion, ginger and garlic in a blender and blend using no water. keep aside
2. Heat oil in an an open faced pan and throw in the Fenugreek seeds. As soon as you smell the fragrance from the seeds add in the onion mixture.
3. Turn the heat medium to low and cook the mixture for about 15 minutes till it stops smelling like raw onions.
4. Dissolve turmeric, salt, red chilli powder and coriander powder in water and pour this into the pan. Cook it for a minute.
5.  Now mix in the yogurt and cook for two minutes or until the oil starts to bubble on the sides.
6. Add 1 cup of water and let this come to a boil
7. Sprinkle the dried Fenugreek leaves and place the fried fish on top, dont mix yet.
8. Cover and let cook on low to medium heat for 6 minutes.
9. Turn the stove off as soon as the oil starts to separate on the sides.
10. Sprinkle with garam masala and serve hot.

Tips:

1. Make slightly larger sized fish steaks. If small, they might break while cooking.
2. You can freeze the gravy and the fish after frying both and whenever in need of something quick, thaw, place in a pan and cover and cook for 7-8 minutes or till ready.

Try this delicious and super simple recipe, serve with rice or naan bread or anything else you prefer. I’m sure this will become your favorite go-to fish curry recipe.

Aa jao Machli lovers “Fish Curry” tayyar hai!!

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