Lahori Tava Tali Machli Recipe
Lahori Tava Tali Machli
Fish Fry Punjabi Style
Submitted By: Taz

Ingredients:

2 lbs Skinless/Boneless Fish Fillets* (Machli)
½ Cup Oil for frying

Marinade:
4 cloves Fresh Garlic (Leh-sun) - grated into a paste
¼ inch piece Fresh Ginger (Adrak) - grated into a paste
2 tsp Kosher Salt (Namak)
Juice of 2 Lemons (Nimbu Ras)

'Coating':
2 Dried Red Chiles (Lal Mirch) - stems removed and crumbled fine (apx 1 Tbs)
¼ Cup Chickpea Flour (Besan)
¼ Cup Coriander Seed (Dhania Saabut) 
2 Tbs Cumin Seed (Jeera)
1 Tbs Rice Flour (Chawal ka Atta)
1 Tbs Dried Fenugreek Leaves (Kasuri Methi)
1 Tbs Turmeric Powder (Haldi)

Garnish:
Chaat Masala

Preparation:
  1. Wash your fish thoroughly, cut into 2 inch pieces, and place in a medium nonreactive bowl
  2. Add all of the 'marinade' ingredients to the fish and toss to thoroughly coat - Cover and place in the refrigerator for a minimum 30 minutes (up to 1 hour)
  3. Place the coriander and cumin seed in a mortar and pestle, or clean coffee grinder and grind into a very coarse mix (you want it 'broken' NOT powdered)
  4. Transfer the coarsely ground coriander/cumin to a medium bowl and add the remaining 'coating' ingredients and mix well
  5. After the fish has marinated for the desired time, add the 'coating' and mix to thoroughly coat (you can add a tiny bit of water if needed but this should make a VERY thick paste)
  6. Heat oil in a deep skillet, tava, or kadahi over medium heat until a pinch of flour sizzles (350-375ºF)
  7. Once oil is hot, gently slide the fish into the pan (don't over crowd! Fry in batches if necessary) and allow to fry for 3-4 minutes (turning as necessary) or until cooked through and golden brown on all sides
  8. Transfer to absorbent paper and immediately sprinkle with chaat masala - Repeat as necessary until all of the fish has been cooked
  9. Serve hot as an appetizer along with chutney(s) of choice 'on its own', or as part of any North Indian/Punjabi meal
* Truly any type of fish works but I suggest a mild flavored variety like tilapia, cod, bass, haddock,
   halibut, snapper, or trout

Share by: