Fish Curry (Aale Kande Ambat)

Aale in Konkani stands for Ginger and Kande stands for Onion. This popular dish - Aale Kande Ambat is prepared when there is Fish Fry as a side dish or much more simple - if you just want to have a Fish curry with Rice. I made this when I fried Fish. P and I personally do not like Fish curry so we made the gravy alone. But on a popular note, this is a famous Fish Curry recipe amongst Konkanis. This is the way it used to be prepared at my cousins place in Mangalore. She was kind enough to share the recipe with me.

The subtle flavours of Fish render a unique aroma to this dish though the base gravy for most of the South Canara cooking is always Red Chillies (Byadgi), Grated Coconut and Tamarind.

In my cousin's place in Goa and Mangalore, usually "Wooden Ladels" are used for Fish curry since they transfer the smell to steel utensils. You also get special Wooden Ladels which are made with Coconut shells and are found in abundance in markets in Goa and Mangalore. My aunts and cousins love these cute wooden ladels.

Serves: 2-3 individuals

Recipe adapted from the original recipe given by my cousin from Mangalore

Ingredients:

Grated coconut - 1 cup

Fish pieces - 4 to 6

Red Chillies - 4-5

Onion - 1/2 cup

Mustard seeds (optional) - 1/3 teaspoon ~ Just a sprinkle would do

Tamarind - 1/2 teaspoon

Coriander seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Ginger - 1/2 " piece

Oil - For frying

Salt - As per taste

Water - For curry consistency

Method:

Grind red chillies, grated coconut and tamarind with part of the ginger to a fine paste. During the last round of blending add mustard seeds, this gives a good flavour to the curry (this is an optional process, but the flavours blend well and get a good aroma if mustard seeds are added).

In a saucepan, heat oil and fry onions and minced ginger. They need to be cooked more than the usual translucent color. Allow them to char a little (little brownish color). Add the ground mix to these and bring to boil. Add enough water, salt and Fish pieces. Bring to boil and cook till Fish is done. Fish color would no longer be pink once its cooked. Serve hot with rice and Fish Fry.

Suggestion: Fish cooks very fast, so it should be done within 10 minutes once gravy is added. Keep a careful watch or else Fish pieces could overcook causing shredding of meat pieces.