Authentic and delicious Salem Fish curry recipe

Summary:

Salem Fish Curry, also called Salem Meen Kuzhambu, is a delicious, aromatic, and peppery fish curry originating from Salem, Tamil Nadu. In many Tamil households, this traditional recipe is a stable one, and its flavour will transport you to the heart of south India.

Ingredients:

• Fish (any fish but white fish will be Effective)- 500gm
• Oil- 2 table spoon
• Tamarind (Paste)- 2 table spoon
• Coconut (Paste) Optional- 2 table spoon
• Onion Medium Size (Chopped)- 2 no’s
• Garlic (Chopped)- 3-4 no’s
• Tomato (Chopped)- 1 no’s
• Ginger Paste- 1 tea spoon
• Coriander Powder- 1 tea spoon
• Cumin Powder- 1 tea spoon
• Turmeric Powder- ½ tea spoon
• Red Chili Powder- ½ tea spoon
• Garam Masala Powder- ½ tea spoon
• Salt- To taste
• Water- 2 cups
• Coriander Leaves- for garnish

For the tempering:

•  Oil- 1 table spoon
• Muster Seeds- ½ tea spoon
• Cumin Seeds- ½ tea spoon
• Fenugreek seeds- ¼ tea spoon
• Dried red chili- 2-4 no’s
• Curry leaves- 1 Sprig

Procedure:

Making the curry paste:

• Take oil in a pan over medium heat.
• After heated oil, add chopped onion and sauté until remove raw onion flavour.
• Then add chopped garlic, ginger paste, 1 tea spoon coriander powder, 1 tea spoon cumin powder,½ tea spoon turmeric powder,½ tea spoon red chilli powder, and½ tea spoon garam masala. Sauté for 2-4 minutes.
• After that, add chopped tomatoes, then sauté until it gets soft. 
• After getting soft, turn off the stove and allow it to cool. 
• Grind this mixture and make it into smooth paste form. 

Cook the Fish:

• Take oil in a separate pan over medium heat.
• After heated oil, add fish pieces slowly and cook until they turn a golden brown color. Remove pan and set aside.

Mix and boil the fish curry:

• Take large pan; add oil in over medium heat. 
• Add the curry paste and sauté for 2-4 minutes. After that, add 2 table spoons of tamarind paste and (add coconut paste, 2 table spoons if you are using) 2 cups of water. Mix well. 
• Then add cooked fish pieces, close the pan, and let it boil for 10-15 minutes, or the curry turn into a thickening consistency. 
• Finally, add salt to taste.

 Serve and eat hearty!

• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
• Serve this delicious fish curry with rice, naan, roti, and ragi mudde.

Important hints and interpretation:

• Add spices according to your taste.
• Use a variety of fish for different authentic tastes.
• Add coconut milk to make creamier curry.
• Use cinnamon or cardamom spices for unique flavour.

Health Benefits of Eating Fish Curry:

• Seafood is always good for health, particularly fish, which has more healthy food.

Types of Fish: 

• Usually there are two types of fish.
• Oily fish 
• Non Oily fish

Oily Fish:

• Omega- 3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid is rich in oily fish. This fatty acid helps to reduce heart-related diseases. 
• Examples: Salmon, Tuna (fresh), Kipper, Sardines, Mackerel, eel, etc.

Non Oily Fish: 

• Non-oily fish with more white meat, and it has only 2% fat by weight.
• Examples: tinned tuna, sea bass, haddock, lemon Cole, etc.