Meen Pollichathu/Fish fried in banana leaf

I want to try this recipe with Karimeen (pearl spot fish) but i got Avoli (pomfret fish)!!!No probs. We had it with kappa puzhukku and it was too yummy....

Update:

Here you have to reuse the cooked oil. So those who wish to avoid it, follow this recipe which i tried with pearl fish/Karimeen-Meen Pollichathu-kerala style . I used to follow the recipe given in link as i found it more tastier.

Ingredients:

• Fish-2 (I used pomfret)
• Big onion-1
• Oil-3 tspoon
• Chili powder-3 tspoon
• Turmeric powder-1 tspoon
• Pepper powder-1 tspoon
• Garam masala-1 tspoon
• Ginger garlic paste-1 tspoon
• Curry leaves-1 pinch
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

(1)Take the whole fish and clean it well. Using knife make horizontal cuts over the fish which helps the marinated content to penetrate inside.

(2)In a bowl add chili powder, turmeric powder, pepper powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste and salt. Mix it with water and make a fine paste. Now fish masala is ready. Take more than half of this masala and paste it over the fish. Make sure to coat it along all cuts(Keep the rest of fish masala aside).Leave it for marination about one hour.

(3) Heat oil in a pan. Deep fry the marinated fish. No need to cook the fish entirely. Cook it till lightly brown on both sides that is about 2 minutes per side. Keep the half cooked fish in banana leaf/aluminum foil paper.

(4) Chop onion into thin slices. Add chopped onion into the same oil where we fried the fish. Keep on stirring. Once onion turns light brown add the rest of fish masala which you kept aside along with curry leaves. Keep on stirring till onion turns golden brown. Switch off the flame.

(5)Using a filter take out fried masala and onion from the oil. Be sure to filter out all oil drops since too much of oil is not good for health. Now you will obtain a semi gravy like consistency masala. Paste this masala over the half cooked fish. Try to paste on both sides. Neatly wrap the fish using banana leaf/foil paper.

(6)Heat a pan and sprinkle water over it. Place the wrapped fish into it. Sprinkle water over the banana leaf too. Close it with a lid. Heat till the color of banana leaf turns brownish. Be sure to sprinkle water in periodic intervals else leaf will tear off. Now fish will be cooked fully.

Meen Pollichathu will be ready once the banana leaf turns brownish...

Have it with your favorite dish....