PEARLSPOT MAPPAS( KARIMEEN MAPPAS)

Pearl spot mappas is a traditional fish curry of south kerala....Mappas is a vinegar infused coconut milk curry prepared with fish or meat.The gravy of this dish is really tasty. This can be prepared with all the soft flesh fishes, but its popular in preparing with Pearl spotfish,Mullet fish and with duck meat. In south kerala duck mappas is a very special item on all celebrations of christian family.Mostly on christmas and on christian weddings this is a main course dish.Here I m presenting to you  the traditional Fort Kochi style Pearl Spot Mappas...

This can be served with Rice, Appams, Puttu, Pathiri,Parotta etc....

                                   INGREDIENTS

• Pearl spot fish                   - 500 gms cleaned
• Onions                              - 4 medium finely sliced
• Ginger                              - 1.5 Tbsp coarsely crushed
• Garlic                               - 1.5 Tbsp coarsely crushed
• Green chillies                   - 6 slitted( I used very hot chillies)
•  Pepper corns                   -  1 Tbsp Crushed 
• Corriander powder          - 3 Tsp
• Turmeric powder            - 1 Tsp
• Tomatoes                        - 2 chopped
• Vinegar                           - 1-2 tsp
• Coconut milk                  - 2 cups
• Curry leaves                    - 3 sprigs\
• Oil
•  Salt

                                       METHOD

• Clean the fish and keep aside.
• Take coconut milk from grated coconut and keep aside.
• Add some water to the sliced onions, crush it with fingers, squeeze the water and keep this aside.This is done in order to remove the sweetness of onions.

                        

                        \

• Heat a pan and add 4 Tbsp of oil and saute crushed ginger and garlic for few minutes.

•  Add sliced onions and slitted green chillies to it and saute till tender.

                        

• Add the dry masalas -Pepper crushed, turmeric powder, corriander powder and saute for 2 mins.

•  Add the chopped tomatoes and salt.Allow  the tomatoes to soften.

                         

• Now add 1/3 cup of water to the masala.This is to cook masalas properly.

• When the water evaporates, and the masala thickens add coconut milk to it 

                           

• Stir well and close the pot with a lid and allow it to boil. When it starts boiling add the cleaned fish to it and cook for 15- 20 mins in a low flame.

                             

•  When the gravy thicken put off the flame and allow it to settle for some time. After 30 mins serve it in a dish after it is garnished...

                             

•     Enjoy the Fort Kochi style mappas.............