Tilapia Fish Fry (Tilapia Phodi)

Tilapia is one darling of a fish in US. Along with Salmon, this variety if fish is the one we cook most of the times. I cannot seem to get enough of this fish. In India, my favorites are King Fish (Anjal), Manjee (Pomfret), Kane (Lady Cat fish). Though I must say the taste of Fried Anjal is the closest to my heart. I also like the Fish Fry coated with rice batter comprising of red chillies, rice and little water. I sampled this at a friends place in Goa and was a total delight. But frying this fish requires a dextrous hand as the fish gets cooked very fast and the rice coating of batter also needs to cook in tandem. Must say, one of my Maushi makes the best spicy fish fry in Goa.

I tried my hand here for a simple fish fry which is hme style. Easy and something for which you don't have to try for the out-of-reach pantry ingredients.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes


Serves: 3 individuals



Ingredients:
Tilapia fish fillet - 5 pieces, sliced into 2" pieces
Red Chilli powder - 3 teaspoon
Crushed Garlic pods(minced) - 2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt - as per taste
Asafoetioda powder - 1/10 teaspoon
Egg (beaten with 3 T milk) - 1 egg
Bread crumbs powder - 6-8 Teaspoon
Oil - As per taste


Method:
Clean fish and slice into 2" fillets. If from freezer, allow to thaw for atleast 2-3 hours till its soft and supple. Add chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and asafoetida powder. Let the fish stay in the marinade for 1-2 hours.


During serving time, roll the fillets into beaten egg mix and bread crumbs mix once. If more breaded version is required you could repeat the procedure again. I stuck to single coat of egg and bread crumbs. Heat the pan with oil slathered over (atleast 3-4 t). Once pan is heated up. add the fish fillets one by one and let it fry on medium flame.



Turn over the fish and slather some more oil all over the pan. To check if fish is cooked, do the "fork-finish-test". Slip the fork through the fish, if the fork slips out of the meat smoothly, the meat is cooked, if not the meat is still not done and needs more roasting. Fish cooks faster, so ensure you do not overcook the meat.



Serve hot once done with Ale-Kande Ambat and Rice.