#Meen Kulambu ( South Indian fish curry)

The word "Meen" is fish and "Kulambu" is curry. It is a wonderful tangy and spicy fish curry mixed with coconut and freshly made masala. You can make this curry with any fish of your choice but I have made it with Sardines. I have given here two different ways of making curry. You can choose which way you like.😃

Serves :- 3-4 people
Preparation time :- 20 mins
Cooking time :- 30 mins
Measurements :- in grams and in spoons

*tbsp - Tablespoon
*tsp   - Teaspoon

Ingredients

Type 1

1. Coriander seeds         - ¼ cup 
2. Fenugreek seeds(*)    - 1 tsp
3. Cumin seeds          - ¾ cup
4. Garlic                     - 2 cloves
5. Grated Coconut     - ¼ cup
6. Red chillies           - 4 
7. Pepper corns         - ½ tbsp
8. Shallots                 - ½ cup
9. Tomato                  - 2 medium sized
10. Tamarind water     -  ¼ cup
11. Fish                       - 250 grams
12. Turmeric powder  - 2 tsp
13. Sesame oil            - 2 tbsp
14. Mustard seeds      - 1 tsp
15. Garlic & Ginger   - 1 tbsp (chopped)
16. Curry leaves         - few
17. Salt                       - as required

Method

1. Wash the fish well and then mix it with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp turmeric powder. Keep it aside and let it marinate for half an hour.
2. Take a lemon sized tamarind and soak it in ¼ cup of water. If you have only tamarind paste the mix 1 tbsp of paste ¼ with cup of water.
3. In a pan add all the ingredients which are marked in red colour and dry roast it well until you feel nice aroma from it. Then grind into a smooth paste. The ingredient marked (*), you can get it only in Indian stores. 
4. In another pan add oil and heat it up. Then add chopped onion/shallots, chopped ginger and garlic. Saute everything well for a minute. Then add chopped tomato and turmeric powder. Saute them well.
5. Next add tamarind water and grind paste into it. Add ½ cup of water and allow it to boil and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Later add the fish pieces, curry leaves and salt as per your taste. Allow it to cook for another 10 minutes or until the thick consistency you need. Then add fresh coriander leaves for garnishing if you like it.

Type 2

1. Shallots                 - ½ cup
2. Tomato                  - 2 medium sized
3. Tamarind water     -  ¼ cup
4. Coconut milk        - 100 ml / ¼ cup
5. Fish                       - 250 grams
6. Turmeric powder  - 2 tsp
7. Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
8. Chilli powder        - ½ tbsp (optional)
9. Sesame oil            - 2 tbsp
10. Mustard seeds      - 1 tsp
11. Garlic & Ginger   - 1 tbsp (chopped)
12. Curry leaves         - few
13. Salt                       - as required

Method

1. Wash the fish well and then mix it with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp turmeric powder. Keep it aside and let it marinate for half an hour.
2. Take a lemon sized tamarind and soak it in ¼ cup of water. If you have only tamarind paste the mix 1 tbsp of paste ¼ with cup of water.
3. Take a thick milk from fresh coconut or you can buy it from supermarket also.
4. In a pan add oil and heat it up. Then add chopped onion/shallots, chopped ginger and garlic. Saute everything well for a minute. Then add chopped tomato, turmeric powder and coriander powder, saute them well.
5. Next add tamarind water and ½ cup of water and allow it to boil and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Later add the fish pieces, curry leaves and salt as per your taste. Allow it to cook for another 10 minutes or until the thick consistency you need. Then finally add coconut milk and cook it for only 2 minutes. Then add fresh coriander leaves for garnishing if you like it.

Serve it with hot rice 😊

 For any doubts and questions post it in the comment section below.