Kerala style mackerel fish fry | Ayala Varuthathu or Porichathu

There is a famous Malayalam movie song…

Ayala porichathundu karimeen varuthathundu
Kodambuliyittu vecha nalla chemmeer kariyumundu
Thumpa poo niramulla cherumani chorunde
Uppilitta maangayundu unnaan vaa machunane

This is one of the fav food among Keralites(including me). But I hardly make it now a days. Fish fry is made different ways. My neighbor who is from North India, she says they add skinned mustard paste while preparing fish fry. Well, Ingredients changes different places.

• Mackerel Fish – 3 medium nos washed and cleaned
• Vinegar/Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
• Salt- 1 tsp
• Oil to fry

For marination

• Ginger & garlic paste – 1 tsp (homemade is better)
• Kashmiri chilly powder – 1.5 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
• Freshly crushed pepper – 1.5 tsp
• Lemon juice – 2 tsp
• Salt to taste

You have to

• Clean the fish properly. First wash it with salt..Then with lemon juice /Vinegar . Rinse and drain completely.
• Make shallow cut marks(lines) 1 inch apart of both sides of the fish
• Wash once again and drain the water.
• Make a fine paste of the ingredients for marination(If required all 1 to 2 tsp water)
• Marinate a thin paste over and fish and inside the slits.
• Keep the marinated fish for half an hour in the chiller.
• Heat oil in a thick bottom saute pan or clay pot
• Slide in the fish pieces one by one
• Deep fry or shallow fry both sides of the fish on medium heat.
• Once the fish pieces are crisp enough as you like.
• Remove and place it on a paper towel to drain the excess oil.

Serve hot with rice  🙂

Few old pics