Ingredients

1. Fish (cutla/carp) – 5 medium sized pieces
2. Oil – 1/3 cup
3. Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
4. Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
5. Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp
6. Curry leaves - 20
7. Onion (medium size) – 1
8. Tomato (for puree) – 1
9. Chilli powder – 1 tsp
10. Coriander powder – 2 1/2 tsp
11. Ginger and garlic paste (optional) – 1 tsp
12. Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
13. Tamarind paste (thick, concentrated) – 1/2 tsp
14. Water – 2 to 2 1/2 cups
15. Green chillies (slit) – 4
16. Coriander leaves (chopped) – 1/3 cup

Special spice powder

17. Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp
18. Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
19. Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
20. Dry red chilli – 1
21. Black pepper seeds (optional) – 1/2 tsp
22. Salt - as per taste

Method

1. The fish pieces are medium 1 inch thick, medium size cut. You can also use fillets.
2. Slice the green chillies into thin long strips.
3. Grind the tomato to puree and keep aside.
4. Roast the spices on low flame for a few minutes until the colour changes lightly and the aroma starts to come. Allow to cool and grind it in a mixer to a fine or may be even a little coarse powder.
5. I have used tamarind paste (store bought, double concentrated) and used water as per the curry requirement. Use the tamarind as per the sourness you like.
6. If using dry tamarind (about the size of a lemon) soak in 1/2 cup warm water for a few minutes. Extract the tamarind water by squeezing the tamarind nicely. Strain the tamarind water and keep it aside. Add again 1/2 cup of water to squeeze the remaining juices from the tamarind. Strain again and keep it aside. Use this for the curry. (Refer my other Andhra fish curry - chepala pulusu).
7. Heat oil in a wide vessel and add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) and curry leaves and let them splutter for a few seconds.
8. Add the green chillies, saute for about 30 seconds, add chopped onions and fry on medium heat until the onions turn transparent. Add ginger and garlic paste (optional) and fry for 1 min.
9. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder and tomato puree. Fry for 2 to 3 mins on a medium flame.
10. Add 1 cup water and let it boil for about 5 to 8 mins.
11. Add the tamarind paste and remaining water. Boil for about 5 mins again.
12. Now carefully place the fish pieces in the vessel, cook for 10 to 12 mins with the lid closed until the fish curry is cooked. Shake/swirl/rotate the vessel slightly instead of stirring. Cook until you get to the consistency you want for the curry and the rawness of the tamarind disappears.
13. Reduce the flame, add salt, add coriander leaves and sprinkle 1 tsp special spice powder on top of the curry. Cover and cook on low heat for 10 to 12 mins. Let the sauce thicken and until the oil separates.
14. Shake the vessel in between so that special spice mix gets mixed well. Do not stir to avoid breaking the fish.
15. Cook the curry in the afternoon and eat it for dinner. The fish curry tastes more delicious.
16. Adjust salt and garnish with chopped coriander leaves again.
17. Serve this delicious Rayalaseema chepala pulusu (Fish curry) with plain rice or roti (chapathi).

Notes

1. You can use any fresh water fish or sea fish also like vanjaram (king fish) or sea bass.
2. Do not stir too much with a spoon as the fish pieces can break. Just hold the vessel and rotate it clock wise or antilock wise direction and by doing this the fish pieces won’t break.
3. After adding tamarind water, add extra water as per the requirement.
4. You can reduce the chilli powder and green chillies as per your taste.
5. If using dry tamarind, add water as per the requirement of the curry (3 cups water).
6. If you want you can add a pinch of roasted methi seeds powder in the curry.