Meen Varuval (Tanjore Fried Fish)

[Sukhipanna]

Hi Lyn,

I have this Fish Varuval recipe that I have tried and the fish turned out deliciously. In case you don't get the chicken varuval recipe, you can try this out. My family loves this dish.

Meen Varuval
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2 onions
500g fish slices (I use "tenggiri" or in English it's called Mackerel)
4 cloves garlic, pounded
1 sprig curry leaves, finely shredded
1 tsp fennel, coarsely pounded
1 1/2 tbsp chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp fennel powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp tamarind water or lime juice
3 tbsp water
Oil for frying

Method:
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1) Finely blend the onions in a food processor
2) Place all ingredients, except the oil, in a bowl and mix well. Marinade the fish for 30 minutes.
3) Heat oil and fry the fish slices until they are cooked and crisp on the outside.
4) Serve hot

[Lyn]

Hi. Thanks so much for sharing that. I will cook it on the weekend and let you know how big my smile is :D . Cheers from Melbourne - it's so cold here, I wish I was back there. :(

[Sukhipanna]

Hi Lyn,

Would you be able to find curry leaves in Melbourne?

[Lyn]

Hi Sukhipanna

Yes, we can. Most Indian type things and many S.E.A. things. Only thing I can't find so far is Kecap Pekat. Didn't get time to make the fish this weekend but will try during the week for certain. :)

[VeeJay]

You could try it at Oriental Stores, they would carry kicaps (soy sauce)...good luck, but doubt you could get kicap pekat manis, kicap pekat (masin=salty) are more common.

[Lyn]

Yes we can get Kecap Manis, (easy to find) and also Kecap Masin (less easy, but still can). However the one we can't get is just plain Kecap Pekat. I brought back three bottles from SP so we are right at the moment. Do you know what Pekat translates to please?

[VeeJay]

Lyn, Pekat means thick, hence kicap pekat mean thick sauce.

If you have kicap pekat manis (thick and sweet soy sauce), and kicap pekat masin (thick and salty soy sauce), then you should be find, I dont think you need another kicap pekat.

Salty sauce, generally comes in two type, one is kicap pekat masin ( thick salty sauce), and kicap cair (which is not so think- watery, and generally they are salty). Hope that helps

[Lyn]

HI Veejay

Ah, OK, that's great to know. Thank you. The ones we got in Malaysia to take home just had Kecap Pekat on the label, but looking at the ingredients it's got caramel so is probably of the Kecap Manis variety.

Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers

Lyn

[VeeJay]

caramel, not necessarily is sweet, yes it is burnt sugar, hence its normally used as coloring agent, all the way from pop drink, to beer, etc. All soy sauce has caramel in it to have the brown to very dark brown color effect, same goes to maple syrup too.

Hope to clarifies...good luck