Being a coastal city in the state of Karnataka, Mangalore is known for pretty beaches, temples, educational Institutions, languages, pubs and amazing food. Mangalorean cuisine is as diverse as the people who have ruled this beautiful city for centuries. Each ruler left behind their rich food culture which became part of Mangalorean cuisine. Their vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes are bold and unique for their distinct flavors. In general they are quite spicy and fresh coconut is liberally used to get thick, delicious curries.
Fish is staple to the daily diet of most mangaloreans. They even store dry fish to be used when fresh fish is not available during rough sea weather. King fish, pomfret and macakrel are some of the fish that they cook. The fragrant and tasty fish curry in the image below is prepared from cod fish. Its video is available on YouTube.
Mangalorean fish curry is one of the typical fish that is relished with boiled rice. Traditionally, it is cooked in coconut oil but I have used olive oil which is more easily available and taste wise liked by every one. Don’t be intimidated by the amount of chilies I am using in this recipe. The addition of coconut milk and tamarind helps to mellow down the spiciness and improves the flavor. It is perfect lunchtime curry that always satisfies.
MANGALOREAN FISH CURRY
Serves: 3
Ingredients:
475 g cod or any white fish ( cut into 2″ pieces)
1/2 cup coconut milk
35 g tamarind
1″ piece ginger
3 garlic cloves
8 dry red chilies (if they are not spicy you can add little bit of red chili powder)
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
10-15 curry leaves
1/2 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
2 green chilies (optional)
1 medium onion
1/4 tsp turmeric
3 tbsp olive oil
Method:
- Soak tamarind in 1/4 cup water. Cut one half of the medium onion into thick slices. Roughly chop ginger and green chilies.
- Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in a pan on medium low heat. Add curry leaves, coriander, cumin, fenugreek seeds and carom seeds in the order written. Fry for 30 – 50 sec.
- Add sliced onion, garlic cloves, ginger, green chilies and whole red chilies. Saute them for couple of minutes . When edges seem to get some color, remove from heat.
- Let cool. Take out few curry leaves in a bowl for garnish.
- Squeeze out pulp from tamarind.
- Grind the fried masala with tamarind pulp.
- Thinly slice the other half of onion.
- Heat the remaining 1.5 tbsp oil in pan and fry sliced onion until slightly golden brown. Add turmeric powder, ground curry paste and coconut milk. Season with salt. If needed you can add red chili powder.
- Bring it to boil. Slide the fish pieces in curry. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with the reserved curry leaves. Serve hot with boiled rice.
Medeja
Oh yummy! I should try this fish curry recipe, since we started eating more fish.. 🙂
Liz
I had to look up what carom seeds were but was very happy to discover they were what I know as ajwain seeds and I have them in the pantry. Very happy as now all I need is some fish and I can make this – it looks delicious.
Balvinder Ubi
Its my mistake, Usually I write the traditional name and then the English name. It was clever of you to look up on google first and then write comment.
Nava.K
I have to agree with coconut milk and tamarind juice mallows down the taste of the chillies but oozes out creamy and tangy flavors.
Love this type of dishes and our kind of food. A new discovery on Mongolian curry for me and must try out because my hubby’s diet is all about fish.
Congrats on the blog awards and hoping to see more coming your way.
Tina
Congrats on your blog awards Neetu! Always nice to see my blogger friends getting recognition. Glad to see that this recipe has cod in it, that is a fish that is easier to find around here outside of salmon of course. The picture of the stir fried spices and veggies does look tasty. Very enticing knowing that all that goes into the creamy curry. Delicious post.
Kiri W.
This looks delicious – thank you so much for the introduction to Mangalorean cuisine, a fascinating read. I know I would adore this beautiful curry.
Tina (PinayInTexas)
I love fish curry but I haven’t tried this one. Carom and fenugreek seeds are both new to me. I definitely should check them out.
Congratulations on all the new awards! They just keep on coming hah! 🙂
Choc Chip Uru
Congratulations on all the awards my friend – much deserved 😀
And this fish curry sounds delicious – though I myself cannot eat it I am sure my dad and brother would love Indian flavours mixed with fish!
Thank you 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Nish
Thank you for the award Neetu! It’s very kind of you 😀 Also this fish dish looks so delicious!
Baker Street
I’ve always had a weakness for manglorean food. This fish curry sounds incredible. Congratulations on those awards Neetu. 🙂
peachkins
I love curry and the flavor of coconut oil. I wouldn’t have mind if you used coconut oil…This looks delicious!
Cucina49
Congratulations on your awards–and thanks for the history of this cuisine. The curry looks wonderful, and I am always happy to see more fish curries!
Asmita
OMG, you have made my favorite food. Love Manglorean cuisine. I love all their curries and this one with fish looks exceptional. Please feed me .
Katherine Martinelli
This looks incredible! I really enjoyed learning more about Mangalore as well.
easyfoodsmith
The fish curry looks lip smackingly good! I make a similar curry and know that its to die for 😉 Congrats on all the awards dear.
LinsFood
Would you believe, I was thinking just this morning that it’s been a long time since I made this and I was looking around for a recipe in my old cookery notebooks. This is Fate! I’ll make yours this weekend, thanks Balvinder!
Malli
Congratulations on your award….well deserved one at that!! your recipes are really incredible especially this one which reminds me of Kerala style fish curry that I’ve had in my childhood.
But, I am truly honored and humbled that you are generous enough to share it with me!! Thank you
Nami | Just One Cookbook
India is so big that even it’s same country so many different food within. My husband was in Bangalore last week and I hope to be able to tag alone next time he visits… The fish curry sounds amazingly delicious. Congratulations on all the awards!
Carmen Anderson
Oh thank you so much for the award, Balvinder!!!:-) And congratulations on yours!
P.S Love this fish recipe!
Seafood Recipe
Fish looks so delicious and super-yumm.Never tried a Mangalorean Dish.Hence can learn from Ur Awesome Blog of tasty recipes.Really nise.