Lady Fish Jeerem Meerem

In this recipe for the Lady Fish Jeerem Meerem, I’ve used homemade jeerem meerem powder (using powdered spices) to make a peppery tangy curry. The curry compliments the bland taste of the ladyfish and goes well with rice.

Serves: A Family of Four

Prep. Time: 20 Mins.

Cooking Time: 18 to 20 Mins.

Ingredients:

• Lady Fish (small, cleaned) – 10 to 12
• Onion (finely chopped) – 1 medium
• Tomato (finely chopped) – 1 medium
• Garlic – 8 small cloves
• Tamarind (soaked in 400 ml hot water) – 1 big lime sized ball
• Green Chillies (deseeded & slit) – 2
• Jeerem Meerem Powder (click here) – 1 to 1 ½ tbsp.
• Oil – 1 ½ tbsp.
• Salt – 1 tsp. or to taste

Step 1:     Apply ½ tsp. salt to the cleaned fish and leave aside for 20 minutes. Pound the garlic with a mortar and pestle just to crush them (you can use the garlic with skin too) and leave aside.

Step 2:     Heat the oil in a vessel and add the onions and sauté on medium heat till soft.

Step 3:     Next add the crushed garlic and sauté for a few seconds. Add the tomatoes and fry for a minute. Switch to low heat and add 3 tbsp. hot water. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes (till the tomatoes turn mushy). Stir in between.

Step 4:     Take off the lid and add the jeerem meerem powder, 2 tbsp. hot water and sauté for 30 seconds. Pulp and strain the tamarind water into the vessel. Add ½ tsp. salt and taste for seasoning. Add salt if required.

Step 5:     Finally put in the lady fish and the green chillies and cook uncovered on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Once the curry starts boiling, swirl it once or twice in between (do not use a spoon). Serve with hot rice.