KELUTHI MEEN KULAMBU

Cleaning Time : 30 Minutes.

Preparation Time : 15 Minutes.

Cooking Time : 20 – 25 minutes.

INGREDIENTS:

·         20 keluthi meen / cat fish.

·         1/2 shallots – chopped.

·         1 tomato – chopped.

·         20 dried red chillies (3-4 tablespoon of paste).

·         1 teaspoon mustard seeds.

·         1/2 fenugreek seeds.

·         1 teaspoon cumin.

·         1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste.

·         1 teaspoon turmeric powder.

·         1 teaspoon cumin powder.

·         1/2 teaspoon coriander powder.

·         2 cups water.

·         A goose berry sized tamarind (soak in 1/2 cup of water).

·         A sprig of curry leaves.

·         Salt to taste.

·         5 tablespoon sesame oil.

METHOD:

1.    Clean and wash the fish pieces well. Grind some 20 dried red chillies with little water and make it to smooth paste.

2.    Soak the tamarind in 1/2 cup water for an hour, extract the juice and discard the residue.

3.    Heat oil in a wide pan, add  mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin and curry leaves. Let it splunter and then add ginger garlic paste, saute for a minute.

4.    Add chopped shallots and saute for 4 minutes in medium flame. Then add tomatoes and saute for 4 minutes in medium flame.

5.    Now add the red chili paste, tamarind extract and 2 cups of water.

6.    Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt and let it boil for 4 minutes in high flame, then reduce the flame to low and cook until oil seperates.

7.    When the oil seperates add the fishes and cook for 5 minutes in low flame. Switch the flame and let it sit for an hour before serving.

8.    Serve the keluthi with hot steamed rice.

TAKE CARE TIPS:

·         Dried red chillies gives that bright color to the kulambu and also enhances the taste.

·         After adding the fish pieces bring the flame to low.

·         To make chilly paste, grind 20 red chillies together with little water and use as per your requirement.

·         Catfish have greasy skin, to clean the sliminess use rock salt and sesame oil.

·         Use only gingelly oil/sesame oil for fish kulambu.

·         Making fish kulambu in earthen pot will definitely enhance the flavour and aroma.

·         You can use any other fish of your choice also.

·         Do not stir the kulambu after adding the fishes.