Spicy South Indian Fish Fry Recipe using Tilapia fish!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time20 minutesmins
Course: Appetizer, lunch, sides, starter
Cuisine: Indian, south indian, tamil nadu
Keyword: fish fry, meen varuval, tilapia fish fry
Servings: 6
Author: Mullai Madavan
Equipment
Frying Pan
Ingredients
6steaksTilapia fish steaks
1/2teaspoonTurmeric powder
1teaspoonRed Chili powder
1teaspoonCoriander powder
1/2teaspoonBlack pepper powder
1/2teaspoonFennel seeds powder
3/4teaspoonSalt
1teaspoonGinger Garlic Pastecrushed tastes better
1teaspoonYogurt plain thick curd
1teaspoonLemon juice
1/4cupOilfor shallow frying
5clovesGarlic optional, crushed
Instructions
I have used fresh Tilapia fish which is also called as Neyyi meen, Jilebi (Jalebi fish) or sometimes also called as Kari meen. I got them cut into thick steak like pieces. Reserved the head and tail for making kuzhambu and used the fleshy portion for frying.
Take fresh cut tilapia steaks or fillets. Clean the cavities and give a quick rinse in cold water, use little yogurt & turmeric to rinse off the fishy smell if any.
Combine all the masala – turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, balck pepper powder, fennel seeds powder, ginger garlic paste, salt, yogurt and lemon juice in a bowl and make a thick paste.
Apply the masala all over the fish and marinate for 5 minutes.
Heat oil in a frying pan and place the fish and shallow fry. Throw in some extra crushed garlic on the side, I love crispy fried garlic and hence always add a few on the side. Its is purely optional, give it a try, delicious!
Fry until golden brown and either side about 3 minutes on either side. Remove and serve hot as a side dish for rice or biryani!
Notes
Fennel powder adds in fresh flavor to the fry, do include.
I like to add crushed ginger and garlic instead of the paste. They have nice crunch to every bite.
If you cannot find tilapia steak cuts then go with regular tilapia fillets, they taste equally good!