FISH CUTLETS - YUMMY SRI LANKAN SNACKS

Sri Lankans are mad on snacks. It may be tea-time snacks or any party dish. Fish cutlets are another personal favorite among Sri Lankan cuisine. They are small golf-ball sized portion of joy, dip in egg and rolled, lightly breaded and deep fried........absolutely divine.

INGREDIENTS:
(For 20 cutlets)
15 OZ Canned Tuna Fish (may use salmon or jack macherel)
2 Medium sized Potatoes (parboiled)
1/2 of a large Red Onion, finely chopped
1" Ginger (minced)
5-6 Curry Leaves (shredded)
3 Green Chillies (finely chopped)
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder (as per taste)
1/2 tsp freshly pounded Black Pepper powder
1 tsp Mustard paste (optional)
1 tbsp Lime juice
2 tbsps Corn Flour
1 Egg (beaten)
1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying

METHOD:

Peel potatoes and cut in cubes.

In a large bowl, combine potato, onion, mustard paste, ginger, curry leaves, green chillies, red chilli powder and black pepper powder. Mash every thing roughly.

Drain tuna fish. Add tuna and corn flour in potato mixture. add salt and lime juice in it.

Mix nicely by using your hands, should not be any lump within the mixture. (Corn flour binds mixture well)

Now time to shape the cutlets. Take about a golf-ball sized amount of mixture, little press from the up and down to give a shape like flatten disc. Next dip the flatten disc into the beaten egg and then into the breadcrumbs. Keep aside on a plate.

I made shapes of cutlets flatten dish with half portion of the mixture and with another half part I gave golf-ball shaped. Because both look very nice.

Heat oil in a frying pan. When the oil is enough hot, add 5-6 fish balls in it. Don't over crowd. Fry the cutlets both sides till golden brown. Follow the same for the remaining cutlets.

Garnish with onions/salad. Serve hot with chilli tomato sauce or mustard sauce as you like.

Linking to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes

LEMONY BUTTERY FISH

This is a classic fish recipe, which is pretty simple but tastes delectable. While making butter sauce, take care of not to burn the butter. It looks golden still tastes nutty. Fish cooked with lemon & butter is yummy and flavorful, very easy to cook.

INGREDIENTS:
1lb 4OZ  Salmon Fillet (may take Tilapia, Bhetki, John Dory or any white fish fillet)
1 parboiled Potato
1 medium Onion
2 tbsps crushed and minced Garlic
2 tsps Ginger juice
1 tsp Black Pepper powder
1&1/2 tsp Paprika flakes/powder
3 tbsps fresh Lemon juice
3 tsps all purpose flour
4 tbsps Olive oil
2 tbsps finely chopped Parsley
150ml warm water
1 tbsp Butter
Salt to taste

METHOD:
Cut fish fillet in cubes, marinate with 1 tbsp minced garlic, ginger juice, 1/2 tsp black pepper powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp lemon juice, little olive oil and salt. Keep refrigerated for 30 mins to 1 hour.

In the mean time, cut potatoes and onions into thick slices. Set aside.

Dry roast flour for 2-3 minutes, keep stirring, don't burn it. Remove from heat and keep aside. Let it cool.

Heat 3 tbsps olive oil in a non-stick pan. Add fish pieces in it, keep the juice of marination aside. Fry fish pieces till those turn into light brown from both sides. Remove fish pieces from the heat.

Now mix potatoes and onions well with the remaining juice of marination. Add potatoes and onions in hot oil, fry for 3 minutes on high heat, so that potatoes and onions get crisp and flavored with the spices too. Remove potatoes and onions from the pan, leave aside.

Now, heat remaining 1 tbsps olive oil in same pan. Add flour, 1/2 tsp black pepper powder, 1 tsp paprika in it.  Fold well. Add 150ml warm water in it. Stir continuously for 2 minutes, so that no lumps formed within gravy. Put fried fish pieces, parsley, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 2 tbsps lemon juice and butter in it. Add salt to taste. Cook for another 2 minutes on low heat. Dont heat for prolonged time. Once everything mix nicely and gravy is thicken, remove it from heat.

Pour gravy along with fish pieces on the center of a palate and arrange fried potatoes and onions surrounded to it. Serve immediately.

Serve hot with pasta/spaghetti or simply with rice as a side dish.
Sending to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes

LEMON GARLIC SHRIMP WITH VEGETABLE

This is a very easy, quick and extremely delectable shrimp recipe, seasoned with garlic lemon butter. It is originated from Italian cuisine, but now-a-days familiar with maximum food lovers. A very healthy twist with vegetables (bell pepper & asparagus) and shrimp, is a refreshing spring meal. When shrimp cooked in the heavenly buttery and delightful juices, will surely snach your tastebuds luscious and it will be a pleasure to all too.

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb Asparagus
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 medium Onion
1/2 tsp freshly gratedLemon Zest
1/2 Tomato (chopped)
5 cloves minced Garlic
35 medium sized Shrimp (peeled & deveined)
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Vegetable/chicken broth
1 tsp Cornstarch
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Garlic pepper (coarsely pounded)
1/2 tsp Black pepper powder
1 tbsp finely chopped Parsley
3 tbsps Olive Oil
1 tbsp Butter
Salt to taste

METHOD:

Trim asparagus and cut in 1" lenghs. Cut onion and bell pepper in cubes.

Heat 2 tbsps olive oil in a non stick pan. Add onion, bell pepper and asparagus in it. Saute for 3-4 minutes.

Add lemon zest and 1/2 tsp salt in it.

Add tomato in it. Cover and cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Sprinkle little garlic pepper and black pepper powder on it. Fold nicely. Transfer the cooked vegetables on a serving tray. Keep it warm.

Add another 1 tbsp olive oil and butter in the same pan.

Add minced garlic in it. Saute for 40 seconds, till it gives a nice aroma. Add shrimp, remaining garlic pepper , black pepper powder and little salt in it. Fry for another 3-4 minutes, till shrimp turns pinkish in colour.

Combine milk, vegetable/chicken broth and cornstarch in a bowl. Stir nicely, so that cornstarch dissolves in it. Now pour in on the shrimp. Keep stirring till the gravy gets medium thick and shrimp gets cooked. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and parsley in it. Fold nicely.

Serve shrimp and sauce over the cooked vegetables. Enjoy this delicious dish with pasta or quinoa or French bread.

Sending to:  Cook with Comfort ~Blog Anniversary Event, Holiday Recipes ~ 3rd Blog Anniversary Event

MOCHA CHINGRIR KOFTA CURRY (BANANA BLOSSOM AND SHRIMP DUMPLINGS IN SPICY GRAVY)

'Mocha' or banana blossom is one of a complex Bengali cooking dishes which brings out a flavour of rural Bengal. Fresh rains of earth, drooling paddy field and the green ponds; a true smell of a Bengali life is now coming in mind. 'Mocha Ghonto' or stirfried banana flower is a common dish in each and every Bengali household. But this recipe I came to know from my great Grand Ma, she cooked this dish very efficiently and still today it is memorable to all of us, the very traditional and exceptional dish of kofta curry made with banana blossom and shrimp. A mouth watery, very delectable dish from my Grand Ma's kitchen is here for you..............

INGREDIENTS:

FOR 15 KOFTAS:
1 Medium Banana Blossom (mocha)
300 gm Small Sized Shrimp
1 tbsp Ginger Paste
1 tbsp Garlic Paste
1 tsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
4 tbsp Gram Flour (besan)
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
2 tbsp Corn Flour
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Oil + Oil for frying

FOR GRAVY:
1/2" Cinnamon, 2 cloves, 2 Green Cardamom (for tempering)
1 Large Onion (paste)
1 Large Tomato (pureed)
2 tbsp Beaten Yogurt / Curd
1 tsp Poppy Seeds
4-5 nos Cashewnuts
2 Green Chilli
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 tbsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tbsp Coriander Powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
1/2 tbsp Sugar (for flavour)
1 tsp Clarified Butter (ghee)
1 tbsp Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves / Cilantro (optional)
3 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

METHOD:

TO MAKE KOFTAS:
First of all, clean banana blossom and chop it finely. Set it aside.

Pressure cook banana blossom with very little oil and turmeric powder and cook till 2 whistles. let is cool down naturally. Squeeze out as much water as possible and keep it aside.

De shell and devein shrimp.

Take shrimps in a grinder and give a quick pulse to crush them.

In a pan heat 2 tbsp oil. Add ginger and garlic paste in it, saute till raw smell disapprears. Add crushed shrimp in it. Fry for 2 minutes (will see shrimp are crumbled). Now add coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and garam masala. Fry nicely.

Add boiled banana blossom and salt in it. Fold nicely and fry for 3-4 minutes till everything incorporated very well. Switch off heat now. 

Add gram flour in it and mix well.

In a bowl, mix corn flour with 1/2 Cup water to make a smooth batter. Keep it aside.

Make into small balls, dip balls in corn flour batter and deep fry in oil till golden.

When done, remove from oil and drain on paper towel. Koftas are ready now.

TO MAKE GRAVY:
Grind poppy seeds, cashewnuts and green chillies to make a smooth paste. Set it aside.

Heat 3 tbsp oil in a kadai. Temper with cinnamon, cardamon and cloves. Saute for few seconds, till spices turn into light brown. Add onion paste in it.

Saute for 3-4 minutes on medium heat, till onion turns into golden. Add tomato puree in it. Fry till oil comes out from it.

Add coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and sugar. Fry for a minute.

Mix cashewnut and poppy seeds paste and fold nicely for 2 minutes.

Pour curd in it, mix thoroughly. Add 1 cup warm water and salt in it. Cook for another 5 minutes on medium heat.

Add coriander leaves and clarified butter. Remove from heat now.

Arrange koftas on a tray or bowl, pour this delicious gravy on it. Delectable kofta curry is ready to serve with plain rice or pulao.

NOTE: If you want to add potato in gravy, can add potato also. For that fried potato cubes before and add it at the time of adding water in it.

If you are in hurry to make koftas, then you may mix boiled banana flower, shrimp, spices, salt and gram flour all together and mix it well by using hand. Make koftas with it. But if we saute everything in little oil, then the raw smell of shrimp goes away and koftas will be more tasty and flavourful.

I used corn flour batter to dip koftas before frying, thats why koftas will be more crispy, crunchy and tasty.
Except gravy, this kofta is a very incredible snack. You may serve it as a starter or side of a main course.
Sending to:  Cook with Comfort ~Blog Anniversary Event, Holiday Recipes ~ 3rd Blog Anniversary Event