RECIPE : Chepala Pulusu

Recipe for fish curry (AKA Chepala Pulusu in Telugu). Credit goes to my Athayya (mother-in-law). Lakshmi and I learnt a lot of new dishes during her brief visit to Chicago.

Ingredients

• Cat Fish : 3Lbs
• Onions : 3 (large)
• Thai Chill : 6
• Tamarind : 10 gms (or use 2 table spoon of tamarind paste) : 6i
• Ginger Garlic Paste : 3 table spoons
• (sambar) Chili Powder : 3 table spoons
• Curry Leaves : 5
• Cumin Seeds : 1 tea spoon
• Mustard Seeds : 2 tea spoons
• Turmeric : 1 tea spoon

Preparation

• Skin the cat fish, cut out the fins and tail.
• Cut the fish into medium size pieces and wash with turmeric and salt (this takes out the fishy smell).
• Pour 5 table spoons of oil in a broad pan and let it heat for ~2 minutes.
• Add mustard and cumin seeds and let them sizzle for ~30 seconds (this is known as thalimpu in Telugu).
• Add curry leaves and let them sizzle for ~20 seconds.
• Add the chillies and onions and fry them.
• Add 1 table spoon of salt to soften the onions.
• Add turmeric powder.
• When onions start to brown, add the tamarind water.
• Add the chili powder and let the contents simmer for a few minutes.
• Lay the fish pieces on the mixture evenly (after this point, don’t move the fish pieces since they can fall apart).
• Cover the pan with a lid and let the contents boil for 15 minutes.
• Serve hot with white rice and enjoy :).

Visuals