Fish Kulambu (Kongu Naatu Style)

Occasionally I get into the "What If" thinking. I know it serves no purpose but I do it anyway. My recent What If scenario has been "What If Al Gore had been elected president in 2000?".

This Fish Kulambu recipes is from mom. It is a traditional recipe that never fails. There is not much you can do wrong here. I had Salmon on hand so used Salmon but any fish that does not fall apart easily should be good.



Ingredients
1. 2 Salmon Fillets cut into 3 x 3 inch pieces
2. Tamarind juice about 1 cup
3. One big Red Onion chopped fine
4. 2 Tomatoes chopped (optional)
5. 6-8 garlic gloves sliced
6. Seasoning mustard, cumin, urad dal and methi seeds about a pinch of each and curry leaves
7. 1/2 tbsp turmeric powder

Paste 1
1. 2 Tbsp Corriander seeds
2. 2 tsp Vendhayam (methi seeds)
3. 2 tsp peepercorns
4. 3-4 Red Chillies
Saute the above in a tsp of oil till the corriander seeds start to brown remove from heat and make into a paste.

Paste 2 (optional)
1. 2 tbsp of grated coconut made into a paste

Powder>
1. 2 tsp of methi seeds dry roasted and powdered. (don't blacken them they taste bitter)


Method
1. Wash the fish, mix it with turmeric powder and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add the seasonings, mustard last, when the mustard starts to splutter add the onion and saute till translucent.
3. Add the garlic pieces cook for a few minutes, add the tomatoes and cook till soft.
4. Add a tsp of turmeric powder, mix add Paste 1 and tamarind juice and enough water and let the mixture boil.
5. Add salt and when it is fully cooked and almost near the consistency you desire
add Paste 2 and cook for a minute then add the fish pieces and cook for a few more minutes. The fish pieces cook really quick so add them near the very end.
6. Add the methi powder and remove from fire.

Serve hot with rice.