Kerala Style Meen Pollichathu – Fish cooked in banana leaves I #Kunhikkas
Channel: Kunhikkas Kitchen
Date: 22/03/2019

Kerala Style Meen Pollichathu, this recipe is traditionally made with Karimeen (Pearl spot fish). Here I’m gonna make it with Sardines (Mathi). Kerala Meen Pollichathu is wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked in spicy masala gravy. The flavor penetrates well into the fish. Serve with hot steamed Kerala matta rice and Enjoy!

Ingredients:

For the Marinade:
450 gm saradines (Mathi)
5 nos. shallots
8-10 nos. garlic
1" ginger
2 nos. green chilies (slitted)
1/2 tsp asafoetida powder
2 tbs chili powder
1/2 tbs turmeric powder
1 tsp pepper powder
1 tsp fenugreek seed powder
1 tsp fennel seed powder
1 tbs lemon juice
salt to taste

For the Gravy:
2 tbs coconut oil (use the same oil used to fry the fish)
10-15 nos. shallots (finely chopped)
1 sprig curry leaves
1 no. green chili (slitted)
2 nos. Tomatoes (finely chopped)
1 tsp pepper powder
1 tbs chili powder
1/2 tbs turmeric powder
1/2 tsp asafoetida
1/2 tsp fennel powder
1 tbs coriander powder
1 broad Banana leaf 
salt to taste

Preparation:
Marinate the fish briefly. Grind the above ingredients (for the Marinade) to a fine paste. Spread the masala on both sides of the fish and spread it evenly all over the meat. Marinate the fish for 30 minutes. Set aside.

Fry the fish in a coconut oil. Fry for five minutes on each side. Remove from heat and set aside on a plate to cool.

Take a non stick pan; add little coconut oil, when its hot, add chopped shallots and saute until its translucent.

Add curry leaves, crushed garlic & ginger, green chilies and fry for a few mins now add chopped tomatoes and saute for 5 mins.

Add all spice powders prepared for the gravy, add little salt, sprinkle little water and check taste for any additional seasoning; mix in thoroughly. Cool and keep it aside.

Lets get the banana leaves ready for wrapping. The banana leaves need to be wilted. Using the raw leaf would likely tear when folded. To avoid this, it needs to be wilted on fire. Run the banana leaf on fire for 2-3 seconds on both sides. Set aside. Just a few seconds is good enough.

Take a big piece of wilted banana leaf and the prepared masala (half portion) in the center. Add the fried fish and cover the fish with the rest of the masala.

Fold the banana leaf to make a small packet. Fold from both the sides. Tie it well using a banana string or twine.

Take a claypot, add coconut oil and spread all over. Now place the prepared packets in the claypot, cover it with a lid and cook for 5 minutes on a low flame. Turn the packet and cook again for five minutes. The flavor of the banana leaf will penetrate well on a covered pot.

Remove from heat and serve.

Enjoy!

Other Sea Food Recipes from Kunhikka's Kitchen

Oru Kutanadan Boat Curry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLBAJ8XUUP4

Ennu Ninte Neymeen / Neymeen Curry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzl9cmIOflc&t=27s

Subscribe to Kunhikka’s Kitchen by clicking the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhVB57NHNF9YEGiwm6A_9A?sub_confirmation=1

Follow Kunhikka’s Kitchen on Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/kunhikkas

Follow Kunhikka’s Kitchen on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kunhikkas

Like and Share Kunhikka’s Kitchen on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kunhikkas.kitchen

In case of any copyright issue kindly contact me at kunhikkas2018@gmail.com so that I can remove it.

Music Info: Motivational Uplifting - AShamaluevMusic. 
Music Link: https://youtu.be/obYRdW25gqA