Ingredients

• One - tilapia fillet, cut into required no of pieces
• 1 tsp - Red chilli powder
• 2 tsp - Coriander powder
• 1.5 tsp - kuzhambu milagai thool (or to taste)
• 1 tbsp - water
• 1 tbsp - tamarind juice
• 1/4 tsp - turmeric powder
• 3 cups - water
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro for garnishing
• 2 tsp - Oil for frying
• For Marinade:
• 1 tsp - Lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp - Red chilli powder
• A pinch - turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp - Salt
• For Grinding:
• 1/2 cup - minced onion
• 1 - medium size tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp - ginger garlic paste
• 1/4 cup - chopped coconut
• 1 tsp - poppy seeds
• 1 - clove, 1 - cardamom, 1.2 inch - cinnamon
• For Seasoning:
• 1 tbsp - Oil
• 1 tsp - fennel seed
• 1 - bay leaf
• curry leaves
• 1 - green chilli, split into two

How to Make Fish Kurma

• Mix ingredients for marinade together and add cubed fillets to it. Mix and marinate for 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Dry roast poppy seeds on low heat till they pop.
• Add cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon and roast for a few seconds.
• Transfer the roasted ingredients to another plate and keep aside.
• In same pan heat 1tsp oil, add minced onion and fry for two minutes on medium heat.
• Add chopped tomato and fry till it becomes soft.
• Then add ginger garlic paste and fry.
• Remove from fire and allow it to cool.
• Grind to a smooth paste, the onion-tomato mixture, coconut pieces, fried poppy seeds, and spices and keep it aside.
• Drizzle a little oil over the skillet and fry the marinated fillets on both sides on low heat till done.
• Meanwhile, heat 1tbsp of oil in a pan at medium heat, add seasoning ingredients one by one.
• When they splutter, add the ground paste and fry for a minute, stirring regularly.
• Add turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt. Mix and fry till oil separates from the mixture.
• Add required amount of water and allow it to boil. Then add tamarind juice, mix and lower the heat.
• Cook on low heat for 10 minutes or till gravy reduces to half.
• Add 1/2 the minced cilantro and the fried fish to the gravy and allow it cook for another 3 minutes. Stir gently once in a while.
• Garnish with minced cilantro and serve hot.
• Recipe courtesy: Sara's Yummy Bites