fish curry in a tomato gravy | tamatar wali machhli

Tomatoes lend a wonderful flavour to fish steaks when simmered for some time. I usually like fish with bones and skin for my curries as the skin and bones bring all the flavours of fish alive. I wouldn't ever use fish fillet for curries unless I am serving it to fussy guests. But trust me this simple tomato fish curry would floor some of those fussy eaters too.

A tomato based fish curry, as simple as it can be. I mean no overpowering spices, very nominal cooking oil used and very few steps to make the curry. A mild whiff of nigella seeds and a tangy taste of tomatoes complimented well by a bit of garlic is somewhat describes this curry totally, of course the red chilli balances the act. And that's about it. No other flavours spoiling the tomato fun.

Most of my Indian style fish curries are inspired by Bengali fish curries and this is one of them. I started eating fish influenced by some Bengali friends and I owe it to them the way I can handle my fish. And note that this tomato fish curry has to be cooked in mustard oil, else you will get something else, you may like it but not you will miss some magic that mustard oil lends to this curry.

ingredients 
(2 servings)

2 large fish steaks about 120-150 gm each
2 tsp besan (chickpea flour)
generous pinch of salt and turmeric to smear the fish steaks
400 gm tomatoes (desi tart and sweet variety please)
3 cloves of garlic
1 green chilli broken
1/2 tsp red chilly powder
1.5 tbsp mustard oil
1/4 tsp kalonji or nigella seeds
handful of chopped coriander greens
salt to taste

procedure..

Smear the salt and turmeric over the fish steaks and dredge very lightly over a very thin layer of chickpea flour.

Heat mustard oil in a cast iron pan and shallow fry the prepared fish steaks.

In the meanwhile chop the tomatoes roughly and make a paste along with garlic cloves. Keep aside.

In the remaining oil after shallow frying the fish steaks, add the nigella seeds and green chilli pieces. Wait till nigella seeds get fragrant and pour the tomato paste over it. Add salt, red chilly powder, half of the coriander greens (preferably the stem parts) and let it come to a soft boil.

Slide the fried fish steaks in the simmering tomato gravy, add a little hot water if you want the curry thinner and simmer for about 5-6 minutes.

Adjust seasoning, add a little sugar ( I needed 1/4 tsp) if the tomatoes are too tart.

Serve hot with plain boiled rice, garnished with the remaining coriander greens.

Rustic, simple, clean flavours that make everyday food so much more desirable. You can serve some vegetable stir fry with this meal of some raw salads too. We had a lavish fish meal with these fish cakes along with this tomato fish curry.

Here is another tomato based fish curry where I have used Bombil or Bombay duck. One more tomato based fish curry is a bit complex with some spices used and a little rich too. You can see I love using tomatoes in my fish curry, but this one is the simplest of all tomato fish curries I make.

Do let me know whenever you try this. It will be good to mention that this curry tastes great with just some lightly fried boiled potatoes or even paneer. Or use the besan ki katli or patode to make this curry. So there are many vegetarian versions too.

Khajoor tamatar ki chutney | dates and tomatoes chutney...

This is actually an Indian style tomato and dates spiced jam. Actually a tomato-ginger and dates spiced jam. Now you know what I mean. Except that the tomatoes are not skinned and de-seeded and the jam is not blended smooth. A chunky spicy jam for your sandwiches or to be served as condiments with Indian meals. This chutney is loved with spicy samosas, aloo parathas and any kind of Methi or Bathua parathas. Or on it's own if you are a wicked person :-)

 You just need some red ripe heirloom (desi) tomatoes, some dry dates we call Chhuharey (see the picture), some fresh ginger root and a blend of garam masala, preferably home made. And yes, you can add a little tamarind too if you wish but this is made without any tamarind pulp.

Ingredients...

ripe desi tomatoes 500 gm (5-6 medium large tomatoes)
dry dates (chhuharey) 20 ..soaked overnight
finely chopped ginger 2-3 tbsp or to taste
red chilly powder 1 tsp or to taste
special garam masala 1/2 tsp
sugar or natural brown sugar (boora/shakkar or jaggery) 300 gm
salt to taste, just 2 pinches is the requirement

procedure...

Dice the tomatoes and put them all into a wide base pan.

Chop the soaked dates too in desired size pieces and dunk them all into the same pan. Add salt, sugar (I used natural brown sugar) and chopped ginger to it too and start cooking on medium-low flame. Keep stirring in between as it takes quite a long time to cook (around 40 minutes) and might get stuck to the base of the pan.

Just as the jam/chutney starts getting thick and shiny it is time to add the red chilly powder and garam masala. Cook for 5 more minutes or till you get a jam like consistency and bottle it in a sterilised jar.

This can be blended smooth if you wish and can be a good substitute for tomato ketchup for your kids. I like the depth ginger provides into this chutney and the garam masala makes it very aromatic. A sweet, spicy and hot chutney to make the meals pack a punch.

Cheers...

Bombil curry in a tomato gravy | Bombay duck in curried tomatoes

Bombil or Bombay duck is a delicate fleshed fish with just one central bone. The bones are very delicate too and can be chewed on when the fish is fried crisp.Not to mention that the fish turns to a melt in the mouth texture when fried crisp with a coating of seasoned rice powder. It would be the best fish fry for you if you love a crisp exterior and melt in the mouth inner parts. The reason why the fish is liked in the fried form mostly. But I love a simply seasoned tomato based curry with this fish too. The fish is poached in a chunky tomato gravy and turns buttery after cooking. You can poach a few Bombils in a ready to use tomato garlic sauce too, especially if the sauce is not too spicy.

ingredients...

Bombil fish 500 gm cut to about 3 inch pieces if the fish is big
tomatoes diced 500 gm
chopped garlic 1 tbsp or more
chopped (diced) red onion 1 cup or about 100-120 gm
chopped green chilly (jalapeno) 2 tbsp
pinch of red chilly powder or paprika if you like
salt to taste
mustard oil 2 tbsp

preparation...

Heat the oil in a wide bottomed pan and tip in the garlic and fry just for 30 seconds or so. Do not brown the garlic. Add the onions and green chilies, mix well and keep cooking after adding salt.

Once the onion is softened and lightly pink, add the tomatoes and the red chilly and turmeric powder too. Stir and cook till the tomatoes are mushy. Add about 3/4 cup of water and let it boil once.

Add the cut fish as soon as the tomato mixture starts boiling. Cover and simmer the mixture for about five to seven minutes. Check if the fish is done and the sauce has thickened well. It will be a chun ky sauce with melt in the mouth texture of fish.

If you want a smooth gravy, just blend the sauce after it gets a boil, pour back into the pan, add water and simmer with added fish till done.

No herb is required in this curry but curry patta, coriander greens or a hint of thyme can be a good thing to add when you feel like.

The buttery melt in your moth texture of fish with this mildly flavored soupy sauce can be a meal in itself. Or just have a little plain boiled rice with it.