South Indian Fish Curry Recipe, Meen Kulambu, Fish Pulusu

South Indian Fish Curry Recipe, a delicious and absolutely easy fish curry with step by step pictures and video. The lip-smacking fish curry tastes good even with idli or dosa.

Why is fish so good for you

Fish is low in fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids. This is the perfect source of protein for you. Since the human body can’t make all the essential nutrients, fish are an important part of the diet to balance it. Fish can also be a great food when you are trying to lose weight.

Serving suggestions of the south indian fish curry

You can serve the this dish with some plain hot steamed rice. It goes awesome with some paapad on the side. The south indian fish curry can also be serve along with dosa.

I have seen fish curry being served with appam in aapa kadai restaurant. So if you are a fan of appam, then you can definitely serve this curry with the appam

Ingredients for making the meen kulambu

This recipe calls for

• rice
• chana dal
• cumin seeds
• methi
• onion
• coconut
• tomato
• tamarind

among other spices.

You might be wondering.. Rice, Chana dal??? In Fish Curry Recipe??? Yes, they definitely go in making this dish. It would be an utter flop without these ingredients.

The taste and flavor from the roasted spices take this humble fish curry to altogether another level.

What is the best fish to make with this South Indian Fish Curry

I always prefer to use the Sultan Ibrahim for making this dish. It’s pink in color. The Sultan Ibrahim is an Arabic name for the fish.

The English names for the Sultan Ibrahim are Pink Perch, Japanese Threadfin Bream, Goldband. And in Tamil it’s called as Nagara, Navarei, Kandal Meen. And in Malayalam it’s known as Navara, Kellimeen, Chengavaal. The Kannada name is Mudumagalu, Madmal. And for Telugu it’s Sallenganti, Chalaneera kanti.

But whatever the name, the taste is just so amazingly delicious. And whenever I make the Sultan Ibrahim, I use this particular recipe for making the curry.

You can also try making this curry with any other fish that you prefer. It would taste awesome as well with pomfret, king fish, roohu, catla etc.

Step by step pictorial of making the meen kulambu

1. Lightly roast the chana dal, rice, methi seeds, jeera till nice aroma emanates from them. Allow to cool and transfer to a mixie jar.

2. Add the coconut, tomato and onion.

3. Blend to make a fine paste. Set aside.

4. Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start spluttering add the curry leaves.

5. Mix in the turmeric powder, red chili powder, ground paste, tamarind water.

6. Throw in the fish. Next add the coriander leaves and green chili.

7. Cook on high heat till it starts boiling. Reduce the flame and cook on simmer till oil starts floating on top. Serve hot.

So let’s get started with the South Indian Fish Curry Recipe

South Indian Fish Curry Recipe, Meen Kulamu

A tasty South Indian Fish Curry Recipe which is simple to make and delicious to devour.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Fish

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: south indian fish curry

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

cooling time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 people

Calories: 390kcal

Author: Fareeha

Ingredients

• 500 gms fish cut into pieces of your choice

For roasting

• 1/2 tsp rice
• 1 tsp jeera/cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1/2 tsp chana dal

For making the fish curry

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 3 sprigs of curry leaves
• 2 green chili chopped
• 2 onions chopped
• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 3 tbsp coconut
• 2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp tamarind pulp mixed with water
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves chopped

Instructions

Preparing masala for fish curry

• Dry roast the rice, jeera/cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and chana dal till they are lightly toasted,about a minute. Allow to cool.
• In a blender, add this cooled spices, onion, coconut, and tomato make a smooth paste. Set aside.

Preparing the South Indian Fish Curry

• Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start spluttering add the curry leaves. 
• Next add in the ground paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, tamarind water and fish. Mix gently.
• Add the coriander leaves and green chili. Bring it to a boil high heat. Reduce the flame, and cook covered on simmer.
• Turn off the stove when the color of the green chili has changed and the oil starts floating in the gravy. Garnish with coriander leaves before serving.

Video

Notes

Cleaning the fish

• Cut and wash the fish thoroughly.
• Add turmeric powder and rinse for the final time.
• Next, add in some turmeric powder and salt and toss well to coat. Allow this fish to rest for sometime before cooking. 
• This will help the salt to be fully absorbed in the fish.

Few things to remember

• You can either use tamarind paste or soak a lemon is sized ball of tamarind in water. 
• The roasted ingredients can be powdered in a coffee grinder before blending with onion and coconut. 

 

 

The following are only estimates and not actuals:

Nutrition

Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 20.6g | Protein: 32.7g | Fat: 19.6g | Saturated Fat: 4.2g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 1040mg | Potassium: 931mg | Fiber: 4.2g | Sugar: 10.8g | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 4.1mg

Signing off until next time,

Fareeha.

This recipe was originally published in October 2015. Step by step photos and video have been added. The recipe has been made printable in October 2018.

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