Karimeen Fry

My Fondest memories of fish and cleaning fish is of my late mom sitting in our backyard in our home town in India during our holidays from the Gulf and removing the scales of the fish and chopping off the heads and pulling out the entrails of some of the bigger fish and just throwing it off to the crows that have gathered around her. Odd as it may look, even the hens would be around to peck at a scale or two.

 Mama would ensure that I stood so far away and watched her so that I would not itch or the water would not splash on me. She knew the allergic reaction it would have on me...Well today was no different. I still am allergic to fish but decided to buy for the husband to cheer him up but did ask him to prepare it while I helped him with the other stuff for the marinade etc.

He's not been his usual self of late and certain personal stuff has taken a toll on him and distracted both of us from our usual routine of life. Trying to be very brave for him and support him. It's taken a toll on me as well but got to be the pillar of strength for  my army of men-the husband and my sons. Everybody needs me and no matter what time of the day it is...I have to constantly keep myself charged and recharged so that they can continue to rely on me.

The Fish was from Supreme Seafood(Chennai)  did cheer him and he did take a keen interest in marinating the Karimeen/Pearlspot.

The fish was marinated in ginger garlic paste, Eastern Fish masala, additional Kashmiri chilly powder,turmeric powder, pepper powder and salt to taste. It was massaged thoroughly into the gashes/scores that were made on the fish on our request and placed in the fridge for an hour or more until the marinade had been absorbed and the fish is ready to be pan fried.

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 We did not deep fry it, one can deep fry this or place it and wrap it in a banana leaf and steam it. We have used a well oiled griddle (use coconut oil which is more preferable) I have used olive oil here. The marinated fish was then placed on the griddle on a low flame under a lid and cooked. It was flipped over when one side was evenly cooked.
It was enjoyed by the boys and my husband ensured that he cleaned the vessels and the kitchen sink so that I would not itch later on. I did itch and I did sneeze but that's OK as long as it brought a happy smile on my otherwise gloomy husband's face.

Serve it with a few onion rings and a dash of lime/a wedge of lime or even slit green chilies.

The level of spice can be adjusted to suit one's taste buds. Yenjoy!