Fish Masala Roast

Fish Masala Roast

Fish Masala is versatile recipe which you can make with any kind of fish. I have tried several variations of this recipe with King fish, Salmon, Mackerel, Cat fish etc.Some time I use tomato as the star ingredient and sometimes green masala. But for this fish masala, I added lots of pearl onions.The gravy has a touch of natural sweetness of pearl onions. It is a spicy and aromatic sauce. If you do not want to add this much pearl onions add some chopped tomatoes instead.

Fish Masala can be served as side dish with steamed rice, ghee rice, appam or pathiri. Some times I make this for Sunday lunch. 

 Ingredients

Fish - 1 lb
Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp

Pepper powder- 1/3 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Pearl onions/shallots thinly sliced- 2 cup
Sliced coconut pieces- 3 tbs
Tamarind- goose berry sized ball
Green chilly-1
Ginger chopped- 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds- 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder- 1 1/2 tsp
Roasted coconut powder- 1 tbs (optional)
Thick coconut milk- 3/4 cup
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder-1/2 tsp
Pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Fennel powder- 1/3 tsp
Curry leaves- a few

Clean fish and cut gashes. Marinate with turmeric powder, salt and pepper powder and keep aside for ten minutes. Heat two to three tsp of oil and fry the fish till it is cooked. Keep the fried fish aside.


Soak tamarind in half a cup of water and squeeze out the pulp. Cut shallots into thin slices.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds. When they splutter add curry leaves  sliced and chopped coconut and fry till it changes color and there is a nice aroma. Next add diced shallots,green chilly, ginger and salt. Continue sauteing in medium flame for about 8-10 minutes  till the onions change shade to brown and crispy.
Add chilly powder,turmeric powder,coriander powder,roasted coconut powder and fennel powder and saute for a few seconds. Add tamarind pulp and adjust consistency. Place the fish in this masala and spoon the masala over the fish.Cover and cook in low flame for about three minute.Pour thick coconut milk and after a minute switch off the flame.

Try this
Hope you will all enjoy!