Meen Pollichathu / Baked Fish in banana wraps

Today I have a delightful recipe of Kerala,very loved one- Meen Pollichathu / Baked fish in Banana wraps.Baked Fish in banana wraps / Meen Pollichathu is a common delicacy of Central Kerala in India.Usually its Karimeen / pearl spots which are wrapped in banana wraps and baked with a tasty masala mix.But we can replace pearl spots with tilapia/pomfret/ salmon fillets too.The taste may be a little milder compared to pearl spots but we loved it !!

The toddy shops in kerala serves the best recipe of this.There are mainly three steps involved in this recipe .The marinated fish is first carmalized in a shallow pan with oil ,the masala mix is prepared in another pan and finally layered into the banana wraps and sealed thoroughly and cooked again in a a covered non stick pan or oven.Though there is more effort but the final result is awesome !!

Ingredients
for marination
Tilapia fillets -2 large sized
ginger garlic paste 1/2 tsp
pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
chilly powder 1/2 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
lime juice 2 tsp
salt

for masala mix
shallots 1 cup fine chopped
tomatoes 2 medium sized chopped
green chillies - 4 chopped
ginger garlic paste 1/2 tsp
chilly powder- 1 /2 tsp
coriander powder- 1 tsp
pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
garam masala - 1/2 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
fenugreek / uluva - 1/2 tsp
lime juice 2 tsp
coconut milk 3/4 cup
mustard seeds 1 tsp
oil 5 tsp(preferably coconut oil)
curry leaves

for wrap
banana leaves / aluminium foil to wrap the fish
tooth pick to secure

Method

-Wash and clean the tilapia or pomfret or salmon as per desired using salt and lime juice.
-Cut gashes on the fish if its with the bone,otherwise if using fillets no gashes required.
-Marinate the fish using ingredients listed under marination and place it in refrigerator for 3 hours.
-Heat oil in a non stick pan and shallow fry the fish for 5 minutes each on both sides,till its caramelized.(no need to cook thoroughly)Keep aside on a paper towel.
-Heat oil in the same pan ,splutter mustard seeds.
-Add in the chopped onion ,saute for 5 minutes.
-Add the green chillies,curry leaves and tomatoes.
-Cook the tomatoes till mushy.
-Add the spices and give a quick toss.
-Lower the flame and add the coconut milk ,keep stirring till the masala thickens.Put off flame.
-Clean a banana leaf / foil and add the masala mix ,then place the caramalized fish and add another spoon of mix on top so that its covered completely.
-Wilt the banana leaf on a stove top so that it is easy to fold and wrap.
-Wrap the leaf /foil completely to cover the fish. and secure with tooth picks.(I cooked two in foil and two halves in foil)
-Pre heat oven to 350 degrees and place it in a baking tray ,bake for 20 minutes.
OR  If using the stove method,Use a pan and place the foil / leaf wrap in it and cover with a lid .Keep on medium  flame for 5-7  minutes each side.(I used the baking method)
-You can find the leaves get browned and shrink  so I have not displayed it here,rather used a fresh leaf to place the baked fish.
-Serve hot with lemon wedges and sliced onion.

Also sending this to THE KERALA KITCHEN hosted by Divya of easy cooking this month



Also sending this to SUNDAY SPECIAL  weekly event hosted by Roshan's cucina