Fish Mappas/ Meen Mappas

Fish Mappas or Meen Mappas is a traditional Kerala recipe flavored by the addition of coconut milk. This is served along with appam, idiyappam or bread roll.

My recipe is an adaptation of the one I had seen on cookery show - Shappile curry naville ruchiyum on television. I have tried this recipe a couple of times with different fishes like Karimeen and Vatta. It turned out the best with Neymeen/ King Fish which I made this time and we finally decided to put it up in the blog.

Unlike fish molly, mappas is a little tangy due to the addition of kudampali/ pot tamarind and blends well along with the creaminess of coconut milk. This recipe is now a favorite with us.

So, here you go -

Ingredients

Fish slices - 9-10 pieces( I used King Fish - you may use karimeen or pomfret also)
Onion - 2 medium sliced lengthwise
Green Chilly - 4-5 slit
Ginger - 2 tsps chopped
Tomato -1 medium sliced lengthwise
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tbsp
Coconut milk - 1 coconut
Curry Leaf - 1 sprig
Kodam pulli/ pot tamarind - 2 pieces
Coconut oil - 2 tbsp

Method

Being a Keralite, I am used to making fish curry in mann chatti/ earthern pot. It somehow gives me a feeling that I am home :) However, it is not mandatory to use one. Any pot would do.

Heat the oil and add the fenugreek seeds. Add mustard seeds and when it splutters toss in the chopped onions along with the ginger. Saute it, till the raw smell goes away and add the green chilly.

When the green chilly slowly begins to change color, add turmeric powder and coriander powder. Stir till the masala gets cooked.

I usually take the milk from freshly grated coconut. You may use store bought coconut milk as well.

For those using fresh coconut milk, you may take the milk twice - thick milk and thin milk.

Add the thin milk and once it boils, place the fish slices into the pot along with tomato slices and pot tamarind.

Bring this to boil and simmer it on low flame covered till the fish gets cooked. Then add the thick milk. Switch off the flame as soon as the gravy comes to a boil. Avoid stirring the fish curry once cooked as the fish being tender, tend to fall apart.

Garnish with curry leaves.

Does not take a very long time to cook and a perfect recipe for weekend get together with friends and family.

Comments

Traversing the Deutschland-Frankfurt on foot

No better way to explore a new place than on foot - soaking in the ethereal rays of the sun and the gentle breeze setting the tone for the late afternoon, we set out to explore the pristine town of Frankfurt along River Main. Half a day in Frankfurt was all we had, nevertheless, we managed to comfortably traverse the city and all we wanted to see and do in 6 hours. Given that we visited Frankfurt in the end of April, the weather ranged from 6 to 20 degree, warm clothing is always recommended. Setting out from the B&B Hotel in Frankfurt, we headed in the direction of the river. A city along the banks of a river, gives the place a special charm, atleast that what I think! Every travel brings about new revelations. I come from a place where there is no dearth for sunlight and hence, probably do not value it enough and here I was at a place where the glorious sun presents itself in its full glory once a while. The green pastures along the banks of the river had people sleeping shirtles

Karahi Gosht/ Mutton Karahi

A perfect thriller makes my day and night too! A good book in hand and the literature within the levels of my understanding, then I have the potential of forgetting just about every thing around me - you will see me in the company of the book in the kitchen too. I may burn a chapatti or two in the go. I spent a major chunk of my single days immersed in such books and I had a perfect roommate for company. Our love for thrillers and mystery extended to television shows as well - Savdhaan India on Life Ok and Crime Patrol on Sony TV were hot favorites. Both these shows end with the charming hosts signing off saying - Be Cautious!! Our cautiousness extended to a level were both of us doubted everything we saw and heard. So negative was the impact that we decided to stop watching these series and stick to books which were more of fictitious work than reality. My married days are no better - both of us love the same kind of book and we had membership in the same chain of library - Jus

Baked Sesame Chicken Wings

I do have the habit of omitting certain words or sentences when I read up on something. Be it book, article or a recipe, which is probably why I finish reading quite fast. Pick up a book and if it really interests me - I could finish it in under a day but then, there is a catch to it - in my hurry to reach the fag bottom of the book - I miss names of certain characters, places and trust me at times even events that unfold. As the book progresses, if a reference is made to the part I unknowingly omitted (God forbid that happen), I am at total loss. Now, my husband knows why I finish reading books in half the time he takes! I wouldn't say this is a great habit of mine because as the saying goes Half knowledge is dangerous . I have got into my own trouble with this. That set aside, when it comes to reading recipes I have had my good days and bad days. Good ones are when despite not following the recipe word by word - I end up with a recipe I created and the taste delights and

Wanderberry Tales

Search This Blog