Fish Stew

This is a recipe i learnt from my mom but this is a lazy, quick version of it but equally good nonetheless. (*self pat*).

It is an easy-to-do one pot recipe when you are too lazy to cook elaborate meal and you have small amount of leftover vegetables. It can also be considered as a hot-pot and perfect for rainy days, lazy afternoons or something to do when you are all by yourself.

For this easy-pesy recipe you need:

1. Ginger and Garlic paste.
2. Onion diced
3. green Chilli
4. Red chilli powder.
5. Turmeric powder.
6. salt
7. sugar
8. fish (any type, i used tangra, scientific name: Batasio batasio, Mystus tengara, and i couldn't find the english name anywhere. It is a sweet water fish. So you can add any sweet/river water fish of your liking.)
9. Oil, i used sunflower oil.

Lets start! :D

Step 1: Step 1: the Frying

Apply sunflower oil/or any white oil of your choice and after it has heated up sufficiently, add diced onion and the garlic-ginger paste. Let it all fry till it turns golden brown. You can also add diced green chili if you like a little spice. I added one single green chili just for a touch of spice.

Step 2: Step 2: Now Comes the Fish

When it starts to give off a nice smell, add the fish of your choice into it (don't the fishes look stoned? :P :D ).

Make sure, before adding fish, it is washed thoroughly and then apply a little turmeric, as it has anti-bacterial properties as well as it erases the fishy smell from it. Pre-cut fishes are also good. Make sure the gills are removed or whatever portion you don't eat. The fish I used, is medium sized, can be eaten as whole and the gills and fins are removed.

Tips: Before preparing any fish dish, it is recommended to fry it to get rid of the smell. I fried it along with the onion, garlic and ginger which a) got rid of the smell perfectly as well as b) the essence of the vegetables is absorbed by fish. Two birds with one stone.

Step 3: Step 4: Add Ons

Now add

• turmeric (optional)
• red chilli powder
• salt
• little bit of sugar
• tomato puree/ tomato sauce (optional too)

Add these according to your taste palette, so constant tasting is recommended till you get the right balance.

Step 4: Step 4: Almost..

After the mixture, the gravy portion is greatly reduced, so you can add water and let the whole thing boil for 2 minutes. Keep tasting the gravy to make sure the food is perfectly balanced and add sugar or salt accordingly.

Step 5: Step 5: Tada!

You can eat it as stew, broth (depending on your fish size) or just have it with rice.

I used coriander leaves as garnish.

Let me know your thoughts on this dish! :)