Egg Moilee/Egg Molly (Polly may have put the kettle on, but Marykutty made the Fish Molly)

Fish Moilee is an exotic Kerala preparation and my Mummy was an expert in this. Such an expert that a person like me who is totally allergic to fish drooled to the core whenever she prepared it. It was like one of her Biriyanis...whenever she made this, it was on a special occasion and nobody would disturb her. We gave her the space she needed as well.

She served it in a beautiful pyrex dish as well or in one of her white crockery that Pa gifted her and the five of them enjoyed while I drooled. I am positive Mummy would have given me something to feast on while they had that, but my memory fails me...but I did drool cause the aroma of that stew and the sight of those huge fish in that coconut gravy is a thing of beauty that would last forever...it is etched in our minds...Ma is no more but the memory of the sight of her fish moilee/Molee holds good. I remember she would ensure that not a single piece broke midway as she inserted the fish into the gravy.

I wish I had a personal camera then, I would have clicked my mom more than I would have the delicacies she prepared.

I do not know the recipe at all but have guessed from sight and childhood memories. I found the following recipe closest to Mummy's but Mom used tomatoes for the sourness and not vinegar. The following is Mia's recipe on Fish molee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff5qoQO1A3o

That's when I wracked my brain and wondered if something similar could be replicated for a person like me. I cannot speak for a vegetarian, perhaps there are other adorable and feasible choices. I love eggs without the yolk of course, but then thought why couldn't I replace the fish with eggs?

I did not deep fry the eggs, they were lightly sautéed in some left-over butter from a bake. Use ghee for more taste and aroma, entirely your choice. Then I followed Aparna's recipe from her inspirational blog My Diverse Kitchen. Will link it below.

Picture this as FISH...that's how mom made it tempting! She would marinate the fish and keep and later fry them.

Once they were fried and the coconut gravy made, she would lay the fish out delicately with tender love-a huge, affordable  fish for my three siblings, pa and herself! Pauvre moi!!! (poor me!)

Check this babe all suntanned and showing her assets off. Of course we would have them without the yolks!

 I did add coriander powder and a little bit of chilly powder (both not required) as it would be too bland for the husband and a tsp. of fennel seeds. I didn't have bay leaves at home.

 Mom, must have taught this to many young brides. When we were young back in the mid 70s, Pa couldn't afford the rent on his own in that big place in Sharq, Kuwait so we would very often let out a big room on rent to cousins coming down from Kerala for the first time to Kuwait/The Gulf/Persia as it used to be called back then seeking jobs, got jobs, lived with us as our older brothers...later married, moved out or stayed on...that's another story telling session and tales to yarn and share...not now! So many of their wives (each had one of course...some of them are not together anymore...) did learn from my mother. I think she felt responsible for them...I think I get that trait from her...feeling responsible and protective! I miss her terribly!!!!

So many of you who stayed with us and learnt from my mother...stay blessed! I was too young to grasp or take interest so I really don't know what were her ingredients or secret ingredients. I am immensely grateful to the net for providing me similar looking recipes.

 I forgot to add the chopped coriander leaves towards the end...I had chopped it and set it aside but forgot...Anyway, am sure Mummy never used that in her stew so I am happy with the curry leaves.

Much love Mummy...your mol

Thank you Aparna for your recipe. It was a treat to my eyes and a beautifully essayed recipe. Love many of your recipes and you are one of my inspirations!
http://www.mydiversekitchen.com/2008/06/egg-moillee-mollee-kerala-style-egg.html