As you guys probably know by now, I don’t cook meat or fish in my kitchen. Although I reason I give is TH’s vegetarianism, the actual truth is, he doesn’t care what I cook as long as he gets his vegetarian dishes. So it’s my laziness in cooking separate things for him and me that’s the actual reason. There, I said it!
Due to this self-imposed limitation, I asked my amma to be a guest contributor to Edible Garden. We live in Kerala, and although we don’t eat fish every day like most Malayalis do, some fish does get cooked in her kitchen on and off. So expect posts from amma in this blog from now on, with pictures styled by her and taken by my dear uncle.
Here’s a previous recipe cooked and clicked by the bro-sis team: chambakka pickle. For more fish recipes, check out chilli fish recipe, Kerala fish fry, Kerala red fish curry, meen peera.
Ok on to today’s recipe: Fish Moilee or Meen Moilee, a very popular Kerala fish stew that’s cooked in coconut milk and spices. The flavour is light, yet spicy with a good bit of green chillies in the mix. Each household in Kerala will have their own version of course, and this is amma’s.
Meet the fish. These big-eyed beauties are called Unnimary after the pretty actress of the 80s known for her large, beautiful eyes. So yeah, she was quiet a sexy addition to movies back in the day.
I apologize to my vegetarian readers and friends for this picture. But I had to demonstrate what a quick learner amma is. I gave her some photography tips over phone about good light, background, plating, no flash, etc and she followed the “rules” beautifully.
You can use any firm fleshy fish for fish moilee. Cut into small pieces and proceed with the rest of the recipe. Admittedly, I don’t have much experience handling fish so trust my mom on this, ok?
Here are some of the ingredients we need. Lots of onions, fresh curry leaves and green chillies, and of course, coconut milk. Here’s how to make coconut milk at home.
Kerala Fish Moilee / Meen Moilee Recipe
Serves 4
Recipe source: Amma
Ingredients:
500gm firm fleshy fish, cut into small pieces
2 large onions, sliced into long, thin pieces
8-10 green chillies, depending on heat level required
Thick coconut milk 1/2 cup (onnaam paal)
Thin coconut milk 1.5 cups (rendaam paal – if using store bought coconut milk, mix water with 1/2 cup coconut milk)
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tbsp vinegar
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp pepper powder
2 1″ pieces of cinnamon (don’t use powder)
4 cloves
1/2 tsp maida/plain flour
2-3 sprigs of curry leaves
Salt to tate
(Coconut) Oil as needed
Instructions:
1. Clean the fish and add a pinch of turmeric powder, some salt, and 1/2 tsp red chilli powder (this is in addition to what is listed above under ingredients) to the pieces. Rub in well and leave aside for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. Heat about 1 cup oil in a small frying wok or pan and fry the fish until half done. The idea is to semi-cook the fish rather than fry it well. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat about 1 tbsp oil in another pan and saute the onions until soft and pink. To this, add the flour, chilly powder, pepper powder, turmeric, and curry leaves. Fry for another minute or so.
4. Next, add the thin coconut milk along with the ginger, green chillies, vinegar, cloves and cinnamon along with salt as needed. Cook closed on low heat for about 12-15 mins until all the spices come together in the mixture.
5. At this stage, add the semi-fried fish. When the mixture comes to boil, add the thick coconut milk, mix well and remove from fire (don’t bring to boil after adding the thick coconut milk).
Notes:
– As I have mentioned, different parts of Kerala make fish molee in a different way. Another version I have seen is much milder and lighter in colour because all the heat comes from green chillies and no red chilli powder is added. Amma’s version sometimes has an orange colour because she generally uses Kahsmiri chilli powder that has a deeper red colour but milder heat. Dishes cooked in my house are not very spicy, if at all.
– Fresh coconut milk works best for this dish. Store-bought coconut milk will lend a different flavour and may not exactly satisfy your cravings if you are hoping for this authentic fish molee for your meal
– Serve hot with rice and any stir-fried vegetable or mezhukkupuratti of choice.
Huge thanks to Amma and Radha mama for the superb step by step pictures 🙂
Linda
This looks delicious — your comment about fresh coconut milk may be the push I need to be brave and get myself a coconut grater. I'd like to try the real thing. I followed your link from an old link on my site — congratulations on your food-writing publication! 🙂
Saee Koranne-Khandekar
What a creamy moilee! I have enjoyed several versions of this on my trips to Kerala and in restaurants here but have never had the courage to make it because it looks like mom-food. You know, the kind that you shouldn't mess with because what if it turns out wrong and you get turned off it forever? Now that i have a mother's recipe, I think i'll make it soon. 🙂
Taste Junction
Hi..this recipe is surely worth attempting. BTW remember me? Some time back I asked for your suggestions on my blog…Do check it out now –
http://www.tastejunction.blogspot.com
shamshad
Thank You Naagu for the 'Unnimeri' pics…this was my fav during school days(I used to stay at Kottayam then)…I have never seen 'Unnimeri' after that(the fish ofcourse:))…thanx again:)
SSant
ooh nice to see a fish rcipe in here 🙂 Hope more follow. Yes , we do not use chilly powder for our version of fish molee…
And Kashmiri Chilly powder is piriyan mulaku podi. There are two kinds of whole red chilly that u get in the super markets… Piriyan mulaku looks twisted … this one has more color and less heat..
Ssant
Elena
the yummy recipe
i like a lot
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Pete
Would love to have this with rotis or rice for lunch….looks delicious!
Ananda Rajashekar
AH you make me drool in anticipation! heavenly!
Bong Mom
I loved this post. Your Mom is extremely sweet. I was also pleasantly surprised to see u guys fry the fish(most Mallus I heard cook it in the gravy, the Bongs fry).
I have C.Milk, fish molee here I come
Krithi's Kitchen
Awesome clicks! and so authentic preparation… Mom's preparation would be more tasty since she adds a whole lot of love in it…
My hubby is also a vegetarian and so I dont cook nv at home… and I think I am slowly converting to vegetarianism..