Spicy Fish Fry (Tawa & Deep Fried)

Step 1: Clean and Prepare Fish

Thoroughly clean the whole fish and cut pieces. Score the whole fish with several diagonal cuts on both sides. Pour hot water over the fish and rinse well to ensure it's completely clean.

Step 2: Prepare Marinade Paste

In a mortar and pestle, grind the garlic cloves, ginger, and green chilies into a coarse paste. Add the coriander seeds and continue to grind until well combined.

Step 3: Marinate the Fish

Sprinkle salt generously over all the fish pieces and rub it in. Then, add the prepared garlic-ginger-chili-coriander paste, red chili powder, and fish masala. Mix everything thoroughly, ensuring the marinade is well coated on all fish pieces and inside the scores of the whole fish. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (not shown in video, but recommended).

Step 4: Tawa Fry the Whole Fish

Heat desi ghee on a large tawa (griddle) over medium heat. Once hot, carefully place the marinated whole fish onto the tawa. Fry for about 7-10 minutes on one side until golden brown and cooked. Flip the fish and cook for another 7-10 minutes. Add sliced onions, tomatoes, and whole green chilies around the fish on the tawa. Cover with a lid (implied by steam) and let it cook for a few minutes to allow the vegetables to soften and flavors to meld.

Step 5: Deep Fry Smaller Fish Pieces (Optional)

In a separate deep pan or wok, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully add the marinated smaller fish pieces. Deep fry for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping occasionally to ensure even cooking. Remove the fried fish pieces with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 6: Serve

Serve the Tawa Fish Fry hot, garnished with the cooked vegetables. The deep-fried fish pieces can be served alongside, perhaps with a dipping sauce of green chilies and water/vinegar as shown in the video.

• Ensure the fish is thoroughly cleaned and scored for better spice absorption.

• Adjust the amount of green chilies and red chili powder according to your spice preference.

• For the Tawa fry, cover the fish with a lid after adding vegetables to allow them to steam and infuse flavor.

• Instead of deep frying, you can pan-fry the smaller fish pieces for a healthier option.

• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving for an extra tangy flavor.