Fish Mappas | fish in coconut milk sause

Fish mappas or meen mappas is a fish curry made by the Kerala people. In this traditional style of

preparation, the fish is cooked in creamy coconut milk sauce with tomatoes which adds  a touch of

soreness to the gravy. This preparation is most commonly made with Pearl Spot (karimeen).

If you are not able to get the space then you can use any other thick fleshed fish.

Ingredients

1. Fish 500 gram

2. Big onions 1/2 cup sliced

3. Tomato 2 chopped

4. Green  Chily 3

5. Turmeric powder ¼ tsp

6. Pepper powder 1 tsp

7. Ginger 1 Piece chopped

8. Garlic for cloves chopped

9. Thin coconut milk 1 cup

10. Thick coconut milk 1/2 cup

11. Oil 2  tbsp

For marination

Chili powder 2 tsp

Turmeric powder ¼  tsp

Vinegar 1 tsp

Coriander powder 2 tsp

For tempering

Coconut oil 1/2 tbsp

Cinnamon stick 1 piece

Cloves 3

Cardamom 2

Black peppercorns  1/2 tsp

Curry leaves 1 spring

Method of preparation

Step 1

Clean the fish and cut it into pieces mix chilli powder turmeric powder coriander powder and

vinegar in a separate bowl with some water and make a paste. Marinate the fish pieces with this

paste and keep it for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 2

Heat oil in a shallow frying pan and fry the pieces partially.

Step 3

Heat  some oil in a pan, temper with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and peppercorns. Add sliced onion, ginger, garlic, green chillie's and curry leaves.

Step 4

Saute this for few minutes till it turns translucent. Now add the chopped tomatoes and mix
everything just once.

Step 5

Now add turmeric powder and black pepper powder. Saute this for about 30 seconds and add the
partially fried fish pieces, salt and thin coconut milk.

Step 6

When it boils, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the fish is get cooked.

Finally add the thick coconut milk and cook for a couple of minutes and switch off.