Vajra Meen Podi Varuval (Traditional Fare)

This recipe is from Southern Tamil Nadu. As the name suggests, King fish is used here but you can make this with any fish or prawns.

INGREDIENTS:

Slices of king fish: 4

Lime juice: 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder: ½ tsp

Tamarind pulp: 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Oil to shallow fry

 For the masala “PODI”:

Channa dhal/split chick peas: 1 tbsp

Black gram dhal: 1 tbsp

Whole black pepper: 1 tbsp

Cumin seeds: 1 tsp

Fennel/aniseed: 1 tbsp

Dry red chilli: 6

Curry leaves: a few

 METHOD:

Marinate the fish slices with salt, turmeric, lime juice & tamarind pulp for 10 minutes.

In the meantime, dry roast the ingredients for “PODI” & powder it coarsely.

Heat oil, about 2 tbsps. Coat each piece of fish in the powdered masala & fry.

Turn over & brown both sides evenly.