Mackerel / Ayala Fry (Kerala style fish fry - Tawa method)

Mackerel / Ayala Fry (Kerala style fish fry – Tawa method)

A tasty fish fry, goes with rice !!

Serves: 3

Ingredients

First marinade:

1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

3 medium size mackerel fish / Ayala

2 nd marinade:

 ½ teaspoon tamarind paste

1 ½ teaspoon red chilli powder

½ teaspoon pepper powder

¾ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

2 teaspoon thick ginger - garlic paste

4 tablespoons oil for tawa fry (or 200 ml oil for deep fry)

Method

Wash and clean fish pieces. Drain out water completely. Wipe each fish piece with a kitchen towel. Marinate first marinade evenly. Cover and keep aside for half an hour.

In a bowl, mix tamarind paste, red chilli powder, pepper powder, turmeric powder, thick ginger - garlic paste, salt and make a thick paste. Do not add water when making paste. Apply this paste evenly on both the sides of each fish pieces. Cover and keep aside for one hour.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a frying pan / non stick tawa. Reduce the heat to medium, arrange fish fish pieces and shallow fry till golden brown and crisp on both the sides. Sprinkle remaining oil when turning other side. (Approximate frying time for each side is 12 minutes on a medium to low heat). Or heat  200 ml oil in an iron karahi or pan . Deep fry fish pieces  until golden color. Drain on paper towels to absorb extra oil. Serve with rice / boiled tapioca …