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4 MINS delivery
Meen Kuzhambu
Serves 2
35 mins
198 Kcal
Meen Kuzhambu is a traditional South Indian fish curry with rich, spicy gravy with deep, intense flavours. It is notably popular in Tamil Nadu and the contiguous regions, where it's enjoyed as comfort food. "Meen" means fish in Tamil; "Kuzhambu" is a tangy curry or stew. It is prepared with fresh fish, probably from the local market, and cooked in a tamarind-based sauce flavoured with aromatic spices. What distinguishes Meen Kuzhambu is the tangy, spicy base created from a combination of tamarind pulp with freshly ground spices. The acidity from the tamarind balances the spices' heat while enhancing the fish's natural flavours, so this perfect harmony defines this dish so well. Warmth and depth come out well through typical spices that include fenugreek, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Similar recipes might also have coconut milk, so give the gravy a creamy and slightly sweet aftertaste. However, the original formulation is very rich and non-creamy. Meen kuzhambu is usually cooked with soft fish, which soaks in all the tamarind and spices used for a full flavour in each mouthful. Usually, the curry is long-simmered, so the spices come together to deepen into a rich, thick gravy. Meen Kuzhambu is best accompanied by steamed rice, though it can be served with idlis or dosas. The dish is a veritable epitome of coastal South Indian cuisine, full of bold, layered flavours lingering on the meaning this one finds a regular place on the menu of spice and seafood lovers alike.
Ingredients required for Meen Kuzhambu
- Fish
- 1 small tamarind
- 1 pinch turmeric powder
- Coriander leaves
- Salt-iodised salt salt
- 1 tomato
- 5 garlic
- 1/4 cup coconut
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 7 onion
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/4 tsp methi seeds
Cooking steps for Meen Kuzhambu
- 1Start the recipe of Meen Kuzhambu by heating 1 teaspoon of oil in a small pan over medium heat.
- 2Add chopped onions and tomatoes, stirring until they soften, reduce in size, and lose their raw smell.
- 3This step enhances the onions' sweetness and the tomatoes' tanginess, which form the base of the curry.
- 4Once softened, set the mixture aside to cool.
- 5Transfer the saut ed onions and tomatoes to a blender.
- 6Add ingredients from your “to grind” list—such as grated coconut, red chili powder, coriander powder, and other spices specific to the recipe.
- 7Add a small splash of water and blend into a smooth paste.
- 8Set it aside.
- 9Meanwhile, soak a small piece of tamarind in ¼ cup of warm water for 10 minutes.
- 10Squeeze out the tamarind pulp and strain it through a fine mesh to remove any seeds or fibers.
- 11Keep the tamarind extract ready to use later.
- 12Heat the remaining oil on medium heat in a large kadai or deep pan.
- 13Add mustard seeds and let them splutter—this is essential for releasing their nutty flavor into the oil.
- 14Toss in curry leaves, chopped onions, and garlic.
- 15Saut for about 3 minutes until the onions turn translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- 16Add chopped tomatoes to the pan, cooking until they soften and lose their raw smell.
- 17Then stir in the prepared ground paste.
- 18Add a pinch of turmeric powder, mix well, and cook for a few minutes to release the flavors of the spices and remove any rawness.
- 19Pour in ¼ cup of water (adjust based on the consistency you prefer) and season with salt to taste.
- 20Let the mixture come to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- 21The gravy will thicken, and the spices will meld beautifully.
- 22Add the tamarind pulp and mix thoroughly once the gravy has a slightly thickened consistency.
- 23Simmer until the tamarind's raw aroma disappears.
- 24Now, gently place the fish pieces into the curry.
- 25Let the fish simmer in the gravy without excessive stirring to prevent the pieces from breaking apart.
- 26Cook until the fish is tender and infused with the curry flavours.
- 27You'll know the Meen Kuzhambu is ready when the oil separates and floats to the surface.
- 28Sprinkle freshly chopped coriander leaves on top and turn off the heat.
- 29For the best flavor, let the curry rest for at least an hour to allow the spices to fully develop.
- 30Serve this fiery, tangy Meen Kuzhambu hot with steamed rice.