Exotic Banana Leaf Fish / Baked Fish with Gravy

October was indeed a month for feasting and I for one really enjoyed it. This is a traditional recipe made by my sister Anu and all of us smacked our lips in anticipation and enjoyed the wonderful outcome.

The Recipe:

1 large fish – 2 kg, scaled and cleaned and kept whole. Wash, rub with turmeric and salt and keep aside to drain. Make gashes with a sharp knife on both sides to rub in the masala.

Large banana leaves to wrap the fish. Oil for deep frying the fish.

Masala: 1 tsp chilli powder; 1/4 tsp turmeric; 3 tbsp ginger garlic paste; 1 tsp black pepper powder; 1 onion, quartered; 1/8 medium coconut grated; salt to taste. Grind to a smooth paste and marinade fish overnight in this masala

For Gravy: 3 large onions, sliced fine; 2 sprigs curry leaves; 2 tomatoes chopped fine; chilli powder and salt to taste; oil for seasoning.

Deep fry fish on both sides to a golden brown. Drain and place in the centre of banana leaf retaining remaining masala for the gravy. Fold the leaf into a parcel and tie with string. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 C 15 minutes each side or until a skewer inserted in centre comes out clean.

Next, make the gravy. Heat 3 tbsp oil in a nonstick pan. Add the curry leaves and onions and fry to a golden brown. Throw in the tomatoes and stir fry till thick and mushy. Add salt and chilli powder to taste and a little water if required. Mix in the remaining masala marinade. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Untie the banana leaf and pour the gravy over the baked fish. Garnish or decorate as you please. Serve with white rice and vegetables of your choice. A most impressive dish. The outcome is phenomenal. We all admired it for a while before attacking it. And wiped the platter clean. Hats off to Anu for this Exotic Banana Leaf Fish.

Learn how to cook a traditional Indian meal using recipes that have been inherited from my great-grandmother.