Meen Varuval / Fish Fry

Meen Varuval or Fish Fry goes well as a wonder side dish for Meen Kuzhambu / Fish Curry with steamed rice.Especially on a Rainy day,i love the aroma of frying fish filling the house.

Amma used to fry fish fresh every wednesday evenings ,while i return from school and i could smell them right at the gate(Thanks to her for making an effort to serve us hot n healthy food,though she was a full time working woman).I come in with a big smile on my face asking her if it is really fish just not to get disappointed if there is none:-).We usually talk every evening sharing about our day at school and college(mom was an English Professor and worked in a college) while she fries the fishes.She then sits down with a plate of meen kuzhambu and meen varuval to feed me(....i just love that:)).Even after getting married,whenever i go back with my little one to visit my parents,mom will have fish kuzhambu n fry cooked at home:-).She is the best in everything she does!

I usually prefer fish to be deep fried in oil.But having turned a little health conscious recently,im getting used to Tawa fry which consumes less oil.Practically,steamed fish is the best if you are very conscious about your health.

Fishes good for fry - Tilapia(Neimeen),Pomfret(vavval),Barracuda(Sheela),Red Snapper(Sankara),King fish(Vanjiram).I used Tilapia coz that was the one left in the market.Fish fry can be prepared in 2 ways.The first one is simple with lesser ingredients.And the other one uses a special Masala Paste.I used the second method.

Method 1:
Fish - 10 to 12 pieces
Red Chili Powder - 5 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Fish Fry Masala(Sakthi/Aachi) - 3 tsp (if you don't have one, use Sambar Powder)
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp
Lemon juice - 1 tsp
Oil - 3 tbsp(for frying)

Method 2:
Masala Paste under 'To Grind' Label - 1.5 tbsp

Fish - 10 to 12 pieces
Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Fish Fry Masala(Sakthi/Aachi) - 1 tsp (if you don't have one, use Sambar Powder)
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tsp
Lemon juice - 1 tsp
Oil - 3 tbsp(for frying)

Preparation:
1.Mix all the ingredients, except for fish and oil ,in the above list with  little water to make it into a smooth paste(there is no need to add water for the mix in Method 2 as the Masala Paste already has water)
2.Coat this paste evenly on each piece.

3.Refrigerate this mixture for atleast 2 hours(otherwise the masala might not stick to the fish while frying them)
4.In a flat bottom pan,pour oil and let it get heated for a while(when you place a piece of fish...you should hear a sizzle)
5.Place 3 pieces on the pan depending on the size of your pan.Let the fish fry for 1 minute.Flip the sides of the fish and pour a drop of oil on the side.let this cook for 2 mins.Again flip the side and pour a drop of oil on the side and let it cook.

6.When the pieces have turned their colors to golden brown,you are done(if you are not sure,cut the fish and if you can easily cut thru then your fish has completely cooked) 

Serve fresh and Hot!!!

Goes well with Tomato Sauce as an appetizer!