Andhra Spicy Fish Curry Recipe / Andhra Chepala Pulusu Recipe

Andhra Spicy Fish Curry Recipe / Andhra Chepala Pulusu Recipe:

Ingredients Needed:

Fish - 300 grams

Oil - 1/2 cup

Mustard Seeds / Kaduku   - 1 tsp

Cumin Seeds / Jeerakam   - 1 tsp

Fenugreek Seeds / Vendayam / Methi - 1/4 tsp

Asafoetida / Hing / Kaya Podi - 1/4 tsp

Curry leaves a handful

Tomatoes - 1 large chopped finely

Coriander Powder / Malli podi - 2 tblspn

Kashmiri Chilli powder  - 3 tblspn

Turmeric Powder / Manjal Podi  - 1 tsp

Tamarind - 1 small lemon size

Water  - 2 Cups

Salt to taste

How To Make:

Wash the fish pieces thoroughly under running water to remove odor.

Drain the water thoroughly.

Marinate the fish pieces with the marination ingredients and set aside for 30 mins.

Soak tamarind in hot water and filter to extract the clean juice.

If you chose to poppy seeds : Dry roast and grind poppy seeds to a fine paste. First powder the seeds finely, then add water and make a paste else your poppy seeds will remain coarse and you will get it in the mouth while you eat.

If you choose to use grated coconut, grind coconut with 1/4 cup of water and extract the milk. Discard the pulp. Take care not to add too much water while grinding.

Heat a heavy bottomed wide pan with oil, add dry spice once you get an aroma, and add curry leaves and saute.

Add onions and green chilies, fry till turn golden.

Add onions and green chilies, fry till they turn golden.

Place the first pieces and fry on a medium high for 3 mins. Flip to the other side carefully and fry for another 3 mins.

Pour tamarind juice all over the pieces. Cover and simmer for 2 to 3 mins.

Add garam masala powder. Adjust the salt and chili powder, if needed. Pour water just enough to partially cover the pieces. Add coriander leaves too. Cover and simmer for just 4 to 5 mins on a medium flame.

Add the coconut milk or poppy seeds paste and tilt the pan slightly to one side and get over the pulusu on to the pieces. Mix the pulusu by leaving the pieces intact. Let it begin to bubble. Cook for few more mins or till the fish is cooked. Over cooking can break the pieces. Taste the pulusu to check spicy, tangy and salt. Any adjustments can be done now.

Serve Andhra fish curry or fish pulusu with rice or roti.

Note :

Ensure that you use a wide pan, like a pressure pan. Do not crowd the pieces.

Do not stir or mix the curry too much while cooking. This will cause the pieces to break.