Seafood / Fish Recipes - Kottayam style Kudampuliyitta Red Fish curry

Kudampuliyitta Red Fish curry


 Red fish curry is a spicy and simple gravy prepared with river or sea fish in an onion and chilli based gravy.This red fish curry is very common in Kottayam area,usually served with  Rice or Kappa veyichathe with authentic spicy and sour taste.For best result, serve the dish after 4 to 6 hours of preparation.Here comes the recipe for spicy Kottayam style Red Fish curry.


Ingredients Needed
1)1 Kg Fish pieces or fillets(Use any hard flesh fish available in the market).I used Promphet for this preparation.
2)1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
3)2 tsp Chilli powder
4)1.5 tsp Fish masala powder(any fish  masala)
5)1 tsp chopped Garlic
6)1 tsp chopped Ginger
7)Green chillies - 2 nos.
8)3 cup water
9)Tamarind(Kudam puli)- 2-3(depends on sourness) [Soaked in luke warm water for 10-15 minutes]
10)Salt - to taste

For Seasoning
1)1/4 cup oil(coconut oil or vegetable oil)
2)1 tsp Mustard
3)2 Tb sp Button onions
4)Curry leaves - 2 leaflets(2 thande)


Method

1.Clean the fish  with salt and vinegar for reducing the smell.Cut the fish into small pieces.
2.Marinate the fish with 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder,2 tsp Chilli powder,1.5 tsp Fish masala and required amount of salt and keep aside for 10 minutes.
3.Take 1 earthenpot(munchatti) most suitable for fish curry preparation.If you don't have munchatti you can use any non stick vessel(big one).I don't have munnchatti and so im using the other vessel.
4.Heat the pan and when it gets hot add 1/4 cup oil,add 1 tsp mustard to the heated oil.When it splutters add 2 tb sp chopped button onions,saute nicely and make it transluscent.When the oil is clear add chopped ginger and garlic 1 tsp each(fry it).Then add  curry leaves and chopped green chillies  and saute well.

5.When the onion becomes transluscent,lower the flame and add the marinated fish pieces to the pan with 3 cups of water and salt to taste.
6.Also add the  soaked tamarind(kudampuli) to the fish pieces along with tamarind water.
7.Cover with lid and and put the medium flame and bring to boil for 15 minutes.
8.Don't stir with a spoon instead tilt the vessel in a clock wise direction for 1-2 times and make sure the fillets or fish pieces is not breaking.
9.Remove the lid or cook half covered  and allow to simmer on low heat till gravy gets thicken and fish gets completely cooked for another 15 minutes.

10.After 30 minutes when the gravy became thick,fish will be completely cooked.
11.Allow to keep the  prepared fish curry  for 4-5 hours without any disturbances in order to get the real taste of sourness equally.
12.Serve this spicy red fish curry with Rice or Kappa.I prefer Kappa in which we can taste the real flavour..So yummy!!!!.But here i'm serving with Rice.

Please try out this authentic spicy Red Fish Curry and leave me your valuable comments.

Happy Cooking

Kottayam Kitchen:):)