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Kottayam Meen Curry

Ingredients

1. 3-4 garlic
2. 2 inch ginger
3. 2 green chilies
4. tamarind (in kerala two types are available, use whichever one you have -kudampuli or valampuli)
5. vinegar(2 -3 tbsp.) optional
6. 2 tablespoon chili powder
7. 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
8. salt to taste
9. 6 pieces of fish
10. 1 tsp. uluva/ asafetida ( roast the uluva and grind to powder)
11. 5 tbsp. oil
12 1 small onion (cut to small pieces)

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a sauce pan and put uluva in that and when it turns brown (if it is powder don't add this now),
2. Add the ginger,garlic,green chilies, and curry leaves and onion.
3. Saute till brown.
4. Then with enough water make a paste of turmeric,chilli powder, uluva powder if not put earlier, and salt.
5. Add this paste to the sauti, and stir it till oil comes out on the side and water evaporates.
6. Then pour water -1 cup or so and boil it.
7. When it boils add the fish to it and as usual fish should immerse and if not add little bit but not too much 'cause gravy might turn watery.
8. Then add tamarind (tamarind juice or whole tamarind if valanpuli) or vinegar and cook till done.
9. If it is too hot and chilly then pour some coconut milk to it.
10. This given best taste if used the next day.