Hailing from a coastal town, seafood was available in plenty for us.We had fresh fish almost everyday. When we moved to MN, we had no idea where we could find fish. After a few days,we found some supermarkets selling fish. But I was horrified to see how dead they looked. They were frozen till they cannot be frozen any more...as stiff as a stick.Seeing that, I lost my appetite for fish.
Then we discovered an Asian Store which sells not-so-frozen seafood. They had live crabs and crawfish. And boy! I went crazy in that store shopping for shrimp and fish and we brought home some sardines ,king fish and shrimp.
How do you like the picture above? It was a very rainy day here when I clicked these pics and the rain clouds gave me some amazing shadows! I don't think I should sulk anymore about the sun not being there in Summer...though I have no idea how my first winter is going to be! :-)
MEEN PEERA / FISH IN TANGY COCONUT SAUCE
Recipe source: Amma
Ingredients:
Sardines - 12, cleaned and cut into 3 pcs (Any small fish can be used, even shrimps)
Red Onion- 1/2 medium (original recipe calls for shallots)
Green Chillies- 4-5
Ginger-1" piece
Coconut- 1 cup, shredded
Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
Salt- to taste
Oil-1/4 cup (I prefer coconut oil)
Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
Cocum- 2 pcs soaked in 1/2 cup of water
You may need 1 cup or more of water for the gravy.
Method:
- Grind together red onion, green chillies and coconut to a rough paste.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together the ground paste, fish ,turmeric powder and salt.
- Heat oil, add in the mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
- Add in the fish-ground paste mixture to it along with the cocum and it's water.
- Add in 1 cup of water, let it come to a boil and then cover and cook on meduim heat till the fish is cooked.
- If you feel it is a bit too tangy for your taste, take out the cocum pieces.
Verdict: I love meen peera.It is a comfort food for me. I usually eat it with 'Kanji' (gruel) , yoghurt and a pinch of salt.I like my meen peera to have a bit of gravy so that I can mix my rice in it and gobble up! :-) This is the 2nd time I am making this, the first time was when I was 14 years old for a cookery competition and I don't remeber how it tasted! :-) This time, it was really yummy!
10 Comments:
Really nice preparation....I never used to put Kudampuli when i prepare peera...and I liked the idea ...:)
The picture has come out good Ria, u know my last post was also on the rainy day. Whenever I plan to take picture its getting cloudy. But yours has come out pretty good dear. I came here exactly starting of the winter and we really enjoyed to the fullest.. But you know u can take good pictures when there is full of snow..because of the white reflection and it will be very very bright.( its advantage for us na...)
Ria, fish looks delicious and lovely clicks
I never liked Meen peera as a child,specially with sardines, coz of its little bones, but ur post makes it luks so scrumptuous...am definitely gonna try this recipe...Manish loves meen peera so an added reason to try it :)
Ria,
Wonderful clicks
Hi Ria,
I been reading your blog for over a year now. I have noticed how your photography skills have improved over time. Struggling with a starting a blog myself, I find it difficult to get good clicks every time.
But I have to say, this meen peera looks awesome. Meen peera is not well-liked at my house. But my mouth is watering looking at your pics and am planning to try out your version as soon as I can get some fresh fish :)
Very inviting dish. Beautiful clicks Ria..
i like the presentation..the coccum n greenchilly with meen peera looks really fabulous..
Never heard of this. But it looks good. Your photography has improved a lot!!! That rainy picture is very good!
Thank you all!
Ann- I bet you'd like it!
Pavithra- I hope so! :)
Manju- :)
Sarah- Thank you so much!
Post a Comment