Sunday, March 29, 2015

Hyderabadi Dum ki Machchli

I must confess I am a vegetarian. But for the love of a husband who loves his fish I have learnt how to cook it. I find cooking fish easiest since it requires very little time and mostly does not need elaborate recipes. I am using fresh water fish here. The Local fish is called "Katla" and is abundant in lakes in Rajasthan particularly Jaisamand lake.
This recipe has been adapted from a wonderful cookbook "Hyderabadi Cuisine" by Pratibha Karan. Interestingly she is a Vegetarian too with great non vegetarian recipes in her book. :)
One main ingredient that adds flavour to the dish is Watermelon & Muskmelon seeds. They are easily available in supermarkets and shops. Popularly called Khabooja & Tarbooj dried seeds. They are soft and can be crushed fresh using a pestle & mortar.


You need:
1/2 kg Fish cut into slices

To be ground into a paste

2 medium onions
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
3-4 green chillies ( add more for more heat)

1- 1/2 cup yogurt ( thick)
oil for cooking
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tablespoon ground seeds of watermelon & musk melon seeds
Salt to taste

Tempering
1/2 Tsp caraway seeds ( shahi jeera)
1/2" cinnamon stick
4 cloves

How to make:
Wash fish and pat dry. keep aside.

















Paste Onion, Ginger ,Garlic & chillies.














Heat Oil, Add Tempering . Add Onion Paste to it and fry well.














Add salt , turmeric to it and fry . Add whisked Yogurt to it. Make sure the heat is turned down while adding yogurt or it separates.














Meanwhile crush Watermelon & Musk melon seeds.


Add fish and the crushed seeds to the pan. and simmer for about 12-15 minutes till fish starts to flake.
It should be cooked but not overcooked.















Can be served with rice . Garnish with coriander if you wish. The fish tastes best if it is cooked slightly in advance may be 2-3 hours . The flavours seep in the fish much better. You could re heat and serve hot. :)