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A fish fry is a snack and wholesome dish that caters to the cravings of seafood enthusiasts. Fillets coated with spiced blends, coconut, and a few other ingredients are wrapped and cooked to perfection to yield a lip-smacking delight that is often enjoyed with cocktails, salads, rice, and roasted vegetables.
Video Credit: Authentic Kerala/ YouTube
Situated along the coast of the Arabian Sea, Kerala’s fishermen have easy access to quality aquatic life, making seafood a crucial part of the regional culinary scene. If you love fish fry, you must prepare regional recipes from the state following the tips shared below.
Karimeen Fry
Pearl Spot of karimeen is first marinated in a blend of Malabar tamarind (kudampuli), curry leaves, and ginger-garlic paste. It adds sourness which is important to balance the rawness in seafood. A few spices in the blend make this dish a perfect option to serve as a starter during lunch and dinner. To make this recipe, fillets are shallow-fried in hot oil until the surface is crispy.
Coconut-Crusted Fish Fry
The unique ingredient of the recipe is coconut. Known for its health benefits, creaminess, and hydrating properties, grated coconut coats the fillets. It infuses the fish with nuttiness, toasted aroma, and a crunch. The paste that marinates the seafood includes green chillies while fennel powder and turmeric powder improve the colour and add freshness to the recipe.
Banana Leaf-Wrapped Fish Fry
This is a special fish fry preparation in Kerala where people wrap the marinated fillets in banana leaves and either pan-fry or grill the meat to infuse it with smoky notes. The blend is prepared using coconut, shallots, and spices. If you plan to cook this one at home, take out a few hours of your day because the fish is cooked slowly to achieve a better texture and flavour.
Meen Varuthathu
People who say they can manage spicy food should definitely try Kerala meen varuthathu. Locals use pomfret, seer fish, sardines, and mackerel to prepare this delicacy in which the fillets are marinated in a creamy paste of black pepper, red chillies, garlic, and ginger. Add Kashmiri red chilli powder for a deep colour. Coat the fish with a dry mix of semolina and rice flour so that when you fry it in coconut oil the crust turns crispy.
Thattukada Style Fish Fry
If you like zingy fish fry, opt for this street-style recipe. It is known for its fiery notes and bold flavours. The fillets are coated with a mixture of chillies, black pepper, curry leaves, and lemon juice. While lemon balances the flavours, curry leaves add a crunch. This streetside recipe is ideal for snack-time consumption and can be served with cocktails on the side. You can prepare a rich coconut-based gravy and serve fish fry on a smooth and creamy bed as a main dish.
