East Indian Fish Fry

While there is no traditional Indian dish by this name, I decided to name it as East Indian Fish Fry as I used the East Indian bottle masala for the marinade. This is a complex spice blend that is popular in East Indian cuisine and used in so many delicious dishes from the region.

Just back after enjoying our first holiday in three years.

The past three years had been difficult; finding jobs, settling down etc…that we could hardly take time out for a holiday as a family. But it was time; we all needed a break and so packed our bags for a small trip to Mornington Peninsula. Lots more about the trip coming up later but for now, let’s talk about today’s recipe.

A simple fish fry which pays tribute to the traditional East Indian bottle masala.

East Indian bottle masala – yet another traditional and complex spice blend that is used in regional Indian cooking. I learnt to make this spice blend from Maria Goretti’s YouTube channel. Most Indians would know Maria, as a model and actress and perhaps a little more as actor Arshad Warsi’s wife. But what many don’t know is the fact she is a foodie and an excellent cook who runs her own YouTube channel, ‘The Maria Goretti Corner’. Maria is also a brand ambassador for Restaurant Australia, an interesting food tourism project connecting India and Australia.

Now Maria, who has East Indian roots, tells us that this spice blend is an age old one that is used commonly in East Indian cooking. It is used to flavour curries, both meat and seafood, especially those which are prepared with a coconut milk base.

Traditionally, the East Indian bottle masala is always hand pound, made in large batches and stored in beer bottles. It is a once-in-a-year affair where ladies would gather for the task and prepare enough to last the families for a year or more.

To make this East Indian fish fry, the only real job is to make the East Indian bottle masala. I would suggest making it in bulk and store in your spice cupboard; believe me, it will come handy. Once the blend is ready, all that you need to do is make a paste and marinate the fish pieces. Fry, grill or barbecue…the choice is yours.

Again the choice of fish or seafood is entirely yours. I chose Trevally because it is available locally and very affordable.

Print Recipe

East Indian Fish Fry

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: East Indian, Indian

Ingredients

• 1 kg Trevally; cut into medium sized slices
• Salt to season
• Vegetable oil to shallow fry the fish
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Lemon wedges to serve

East Indian Bottle Masala:

• 12.5 gms dry Bedki chilli
• 12.5 gms dry Kashmiri chilli
• 45 gms turmeric powder
• 30 gms coriander seeds
• 14 gms cumin seeds
• 10 gms white sesame seeds
• 10 gms poppy seeds
• 7.5 gms fennel seeds
• 25 gms mustard seeds
• 2.5 gms black cumin/shahjeera
• 3 green cardamom
• 5 cloves
• 2.5 gms black pepper
• 3 gms cinnamon bark

Instructions

• To prepare the bottle masala, dry roast all the spices till aromatic and fragrant. Cool and grind to a powder. Store in an airtight bottle or container and use as necessary.
• Clean the fish and cut into medium slices.
• To prepare the marinade, mix 2 tbsp of the bottle masala with the juice of half a lemon, salt and enough water to make a paste. This is a spicy marinade so adjust quantities according to personal preference or depending on the quantity of fish.
• Apply liberally on the fish pieces and keep aside for at least 2 hours or longer if time permits.
• Heat vegetable oil in a flat pan and shallow fry the fish pieces on both sides till done.
• Serve hot with lemon wedges and a side of green salad.