Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Marinate the Fish

   Clean and cut the fish into desired pieces. In a bowl, marinate the fish pieces with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well to ensure all pieces are coated.

2. 2.Fry the Fish

   Heat 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the marinated fish pieces in the pan. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides. Remove the fried fish from the pan and set aside.

3. 3.Prepare the Spice Paste

   While the fish is frying, prepare the spice paste. In a blender, combine 5-6 garlic cloves, 2-3 green chilies, 1 tablespoon of black mustard seeds, and 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds. Add a small amount of water as needed and blend until you get a smooth, fine paste.

4. 4.Sauté Gravy Base

   In the same pan (or a clean one) with the remaining oil (add more if needed, about 2-3 tablespoons), add 1 bay leaf. Then add the chopped tomatoes and the prepared spice paste. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.

5. 5.Cook the Spices

   Add salt to taste, 1 teaspoon of cumin powder, 1 teaspoon of coriander powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference). Mix well and continue to sauté the mixture on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the oil begins to separate from the masala and the tomatoes are soft.

6. 6.Add Water for Gravy

   Pour in 1 to 1.5 cups of water, or enough to achieve your desired gravy consistency. Bring the gravy to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.

7. 7.Add Fried Fish to Gravy

   Once the gravy is simmering, gently add the crispy fried fish pieces into the gravy. Ensure the fish pieces are submerged.

8. 8.Simmer and Serve

   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the fish curry simmer for 5-7 minutes. This allows the fish to absorb the rich flavors of the gravy. Serve the Dhaba style fish curry hot with steamed rice.