Velankanni is a pilgrimage place in TamilNadu.There is a famous Church for Mother Mary.Velankanni is situated along the sea shore and during the night time we can see a lot of stalls selling freshly caught fish fry .
Here is the recipe for that velankanni fish fry.
Ingredients:
Butter fish (unsliced)- 2 lb
lemon - 1
salt - 2 tsp
Red chilli powder - 3 tbsp
tumeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Red food color - 1/4 tsp (optional)
Method:
Choose small or medium size butter fish . If you cannot get fresh fish , then buy a frozen one.If you use a frozen fish, donot defreeze it in microwave oven.Otherwise fish will lose its flavor.Just take the fish from freezer and put it in luke warm water for 4 hours.Change the water frequently.
Then with a sharp knife cut the mouth portion and slit along the side for 2 inches. Carefully remove the parts inside and discard.
Remove the gills,scales,fins and tail.
It is always desirable to Use a separate cutting board for Non veg dishes.
Then wash the fish thoroughly with water.Then rub some turmeric powder all over the fish and wash it again.
Just make some small slits all over the flesh to facilitate frying.
Take a broad basin like vessel.Mix salt, lemon juice,chilli powder, red color , turmeric powder and mix well.
Apply this mixture all over the fish and dab some masala inside the fish too.Lemon makes the fish stiff , removes bad odor and discourages breaking of fish while frying.
Marinate it for 1 hour .
Heat oil in a pan , put the pieces one or two at a time and fry both sides crispy.
Tips:
You can marinate the fish and keep it in the cooler side of fridge(not freezer) and use it next day.Make some more masala if it is not sufficient.If lemon is not available then substitute it with tamarind extract or vinegar.
Serving suggestions:
Serve hot with rice and fish Kulambu.
Also goes fine with rasam saadham(saadham means rice), paruppu kulambu ,more kulambu and sambar .
suitable for parties.
