Fish Stew / Meen Moilee

Fish lovers has lot of variety of dishes in Kerala cuisine be it  fried / roasted in banana leaf  & curries made with coconut or coconut milk tangy, spicy check out few of my fish recipes you can try & enjoy the taste of Kerala fish dishes...This time is a curry which is very popular & Be it any small event stew be it Potato Stew , Egg Stew , fish or chicken stew it's the first dish all think about preparing & serving with bread or Vellayappam ...

Whole pomfret ( small size ) fried lightly cooked in coconut milk, green chilies,tomatoes & fresh peppercorns.The famous fish stew / meen moilee of my hometown Kerala is  eaten with thick slices of bread mops up the gravy & melts in the mouth tastes 😋 gr8 if you've not tried please do!!!

Serves : 2 
Ingredients : 

• 250 gm whole pomfret or slices ( can use rawas )
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder.
• 1/4 tsp salt.
• 1/2 tsp fresh pepper powder.
• 1 large tomato.
• 1 cup grated coconut extract -1/2 cup thick coconut milk,1 cup thin coconut milk & 1/2 cup thinner milk.
• 10 gm grated ginger.
• 4 green chilies.
• 1/2 tsp fresh crushed peppercorns.
• 1/ 100 gm onion minced.
• 2 tbsp + 1 tbsp coconut oil.

Method :

• Clean the fish thoroughly &   marinate the fish in 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper powder rub all over the fish & keep aside. 
• How to extract coconut milk Click here ..

• Lightly fry the fish on both sides in 1 tbsp coconut oil on a grill pan or any other pan & keep aside.

• In a separate pan heat 2 tbsp coconut oil add the minced onions & saute for  3 to 4 min till translucent...

• Follow by adding the grated ginger,green chilies slit lengthwise & saute for another 2 min...

• Add  1 chopped tomato & cook till soft.

• Add the 1/2 cup  thinner milk & allow to cook  on medium flame till the gravy is thick...

• Now add the 2nd 1 cup thin coconut  milk when it simmers add the fish &allow the curry to blend well & cook till it's semi thick .( Do not stir instead rotate the pan to mix well)

• Add fresh crushed pepper & let it simmer for 2-3 min..

• Lastly add first 1/ cup thick milk & cook on low flame.

• When it starts boiling off the flame add salt & curry leaves & stir lightly. cover with a lid for 10 min when it cools the gravy thickens ..( Tastes much better cooked in chatty ( earthenware vessel)

• Serve with bread , rolls or Vellayappam   .. Best part of having stew is dipping bread into the gravy  & eat tastes yummy!!!😋