Kottayam Fish Curry (Meen Mulakittathu with Kudampuli)

• 2½ tbsp chilli powder (1 tbsp regular, 1½ tbsp Kashmiri)
• ¼ tsp ground turmeric
• 2 pinches fenugreek powder, plus a pinch of fenugreek seeds
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, plus a few drops to finish
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• 2 sprigs curry leaves, plus a few to finish
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 medium piece ginger, thinly sliced
• 10 shallots (Kerala small onions), cut in pieces
• 2 tsp salt
• 3 green chillies, slit (1 large, 2 regular)
• 3 cups hot water (boiled down to a thick gravy)
• 2 big pieces kudampuli (fish tamarind, Malabar tamarind), washed
• ½ kg king fish (seer fish), cleaned and cut in pieces

Method

The cook speaks Malayalam; every step is written here in English. Tap a time to watch that step in the video. The video’s English subtitles come on by themselves.

1. In a bowl, mix the chilli powders, turmeric and fenugreek powder with a little water to a smooth paste. 0:52
2. Heat the coconut oil in a clay pot or heavy pan. Splutter the mustard seeds, then add the fenugreek seeds and curry leaves, then the garlic and ginger, and sauté on medium heat until the raw smell goes. 2:17
3. Add the shallots and a little salt and sauté until transparent. 3:43
4. Lower the heat, add the chilli paste and stir until it smells cooked and the oil separates. Add the green chillies. 4:58
5. Pour in about 3 cups hot water, add the washed kudampuli and bring to a good boil; taste and add the rest of the salt now. 6:13
6. Add the fish, swirl the pot instead of stirring so the pieces stay whole, cover and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes, swirling now and then. 8:31
7. Uncover and keep cooking until the gravy is thick, then add a few drops of coconut oil and a few curry leaves, cover and let it rest for a while (up to an hour) before serving. 9:05

Tip. Serves 3 (our estimate for ½ kg fish). Her list says 2 tsp salt, added in two goes; taste before adding the fish and use less if you like. Best after a few hours. Eaten with rice or kappa; cauliflower rice keeps it lower in carbs.

The method is a summary in our words — the video shows every step.