Fish Curry

This is my favorite dish …
I know almost everyone is an expert in this curry..They are unique..
Bottom line: Whoever cooks it –have their own style and secret ingredients and spl touch to bring out the best taste .Well, my style of this curry differs from my mom’s…: D:D
I feel both are good….I would like to share mine...as far I get this in some form…
All I had is:
Catfish-8-10 pieces (cut)
(Wash the fish with turmeric and lemon juice .Make sure to run through cold water until you feel it is clean)
Red Onions-1 cup (more, the tastier)
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Chili powder-1 -2 tsp
Green chillies-2 -3
Fenugreek seeds-1 tsp
Garlic -3 cloves
Curry leaves-1 spring ( This adds a spl taste for sure)
Tamarind juice-1 cup( can use any form I used the Kerala tamarind called” Kodam Puli”)
Basically it needs to be soaked in warm water; some add the tamarind directly to the curry when it does the magic-shhhhhhhhh am telling you this tamarind has a very strong smoky flavor.
Coconut Milk-1 Cup
Oil as per your req
Salt to taste
How I made
1)In a bowl, add 1 tsp of chili powder, ½ tsp of turmeric powder,1/2 tsp of salt ,and make a paste ,apply a thin coat on the fish and keep aside for 5-10 minutes.
2)In a flat pan, pour 1 tsp of oil, jus shallow fry the fish on the both the sides so that the spices get inside the fish to some extent( 1 min at each side should do) and also fish fillet getz a thin texture outside that prevents it from fall apart when you over cook it.
3)In another deep bottomed pan, Add 2 tsp of oil – add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds,chillies,curry leaves, and fry till you smell the aroma of the curry leaves
4)Now add the garlic, onions and remaining chili paste and fry till the onions turn slightly golden brown
5)Add tamarind directly in to the mixture or the tamarind juice (1 cup).if you are using Kodam puli you will need only 3 pieces of it to go in to pan out here. if the regular tamarind, take a thick extract .
6)Try to close with the lid and allow it to cook so that sourness from the tamarind ll get along with the rest of the ingredients…(probably it ll take 10 minutes)
7)Now add the coconut milk (1 cup)-fresh extract is preferred.
8)Mix it well, once it comes to first boil-Add the fried fish fillets (one by one) in to pan…
9)Close with the lid and rest is a magic :):))
10)Check every 5 minutes…It took exactly 12 minutes for the fish to cook..in the mixture…( it differs)
11)You will find oil from the mixture and fish border up the pan – yes it is almost done…
12)Make sure not to overcook that makes the fish dissolve/Fall part in the curry…

Garnish with Cilantro leaves…

Serve with: Rice and Fish Fry and thz what is called a festive day and best feast !