| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 305 | 7g | 1g | 5g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 3g | 52g | 1.7g |
Why I Love Indian Salty Fish Meat
One of my favorite dishes that encapsulates the essence of Indian cuisine is the Salty Fish Meat. Delicately spiced and perfectly balanced, this dish truly takes my culinary journey on to an unforgettable detour.
The Dance of Spices
The fragrance of the cumin and coriander seeds, and the rich color vividly contributed by the turmeric and red chili powder, give the Salty Fish Meat its unique personality. My fondness for this dish resonates with my passion for flavors that are bold and unapologetic. I believe it’s the audacity of these spices that has driven much inspiration for world-renowned chef Floyd Cardoz. His marvelous creations that focus on the heart of Indian cuisine have always been very inspiring. As belonging from Louisiana with a rich culinary heritage drawn from my French ancestry, I’m instinctively drawn to recipes that represent a symphony of flavors, just like this Indian delicacy.
A Recipe that Nurtures
In addition to white fish fillets, the Salty Fish Meat recipe constitutes a medley of ingredients such as green chilies, ginger, and garlic that introduce a level of heat and zing to the dish. The onions add a lovely sweet aftertaste balancing the brininess of the fish and the chili heat. Cooking it in oil gives it a wonderful crisp texture, and the final sprinkle of cilantro and lemon juice freshens up the palette, providing the dish with a beautiful fragrant finish.
The key to making this dish truly shine, apart from following the recipe, is the love that goes into it. That element of care and patience in simmering the gravy and gently allowing the fish to cook through arguably makes all the difference. Balance is the soul of Indian cuisine, as brilliantly exemplified by Madhur Jaffrey, another exemplary chef I admire. Just like her, I try to honor every ingredient in my dishes, often drawing parallels between the Creole richness of my culinary beginnings and the inherent elegance of French patisseries, in my culinary experiments.
So, if you’re seeking a crowd-pleasing, heart-warming, and absolutely delicious dinner centerpiece, look no further than this Salty Fish Meat. The harmonious interplay of ingredients will surely make your taste buds dance with joy while satiating your soul.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs White Fish Fillets
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Turmeric Powder
- 2 tablespoon Red Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
- 2 tablespoons Coriander Seeds
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 large Onion, finely chopped
- 2 Green Chilies, slit
- 1 inch Ginger, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Cooking Oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 bunch Cilantro, chopped for garnishing
- 1 cup Water
Method
Step One
Start off by preparing all of your ingredients. This includes cleaning and deboning the fish, finely chopping your onion, ginger and mincing your garlic. Slit the green chilies but make sure not to cut them completely so as to retain their shape and flavor. Rinse and finely chop the cilantro and set these all aside to be used later.
Step Two
Take your fish fillets and rub them with 1 tablespoon of salt, turmeric powder, and 1 tablespoon of red chili powder. Make sure every piece of the fillet is well coated. Leave the fish fillets to marinate for about 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate in deeply.
Step Three
As your fish marinates, heat the 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and coriander seeds allowing them to fry in the oil until they release their aromas.
Step Four
Next, add the finely chopped onions to the pan. Sauté them until they become translucent in color. Follow this by adding the minced garlic, chopped ginger, and slit green chilies. Continue sautéing until they release their aroma.
Step Five
Introduce the remaining tablespoon of red chili powder to the pan, stirring it in well. Now, add the marinated fish fillets carefully, ensuring that you lay them flat onto the pan in a single layer.
Step Six
Add a cup of water to the pan, cover it, and let the fish fillets cook on a simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. This allows the fish to cook and also allows for the fish and spices to meld together.
Step Seven
After 15 to 20 minutes, check whether the fish is cooked by gently poking it with a fork. If it flakes easily, then it is cooked. Gently mix the fish with the spices, ensuring that it is well-coated with the curry-like mixture.
Step Eight
Remove your pan from the heat, and drizzle the tablespoon of lemon juice across the fish. Try and distribute it evenly across the fillets. Next, garnish the dish with the finely chopped cilantro.
Step Nine
Serve your Salty Fish Meat dish hot, alongside rice or any other accompaniment of your choice. Enjoy!
