Mumbai Fish Fry Tacos
19
Memories are tricky little buggers. They constantly play a game of hide and seek, weaving in and out of our daily thoughts. If you are lucky and alert enough, you might be able to spot one from very long ago zooming by and trying to hide. I caught one the other day and that started the chain of events that led to this recipe. But first, a little of where I have been in the past couple of weeks.
I have been at college. It has been two weeks. And I am finding it hard, for now. For those of you new to the blog, I am studying Graphic Design at Shillington college in Sydney. Part time. For a year. It is at night. I am loving it. I am also blogging and designing full time, working on Tasty Circus and juggling home and family. I have just started work on a huge food photography project for a client and there is copious amounts of cooking and styling everyday. Through the blur that is now my typical day, the only time to reflect and think is on my train commute to and back from college. And because I was wired up on caffeine, I managed to catch that wisp of memory last week.
I remembered someone telling me that my mum was awesome. It was at a neighbour’s home just before a big party. My mum had disappeared in the kitchen hours ago and all kinds of delicious was happening in there. I remember asking the person what a child always asks – Why? They said that she was cooking fish fry for nearly three dozen people. The catch was that she was a vegetarian and couldn’t stand the smell of fish, but there she was gutting, cleaning and cooking. Yes, a legend! And just like that at 10:30 in the night on an almost deserted train back home from college, I had a sudden ridiculous urge to cook fish. As I said, memories are tricky little buggers.
Fish fry in India is one of the most basic home recipes in fish-eating coastal communities. Everyone has their own version whether it be dry or in a sauce. Freshly caught fish is cleaned, marinated in a couple of simple spices and briefly pan fried for a perfect charred crispy meal. This fish fry is inspired by the punchy street flavours of Mumbai. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
MUMBAI FISH FRY TACOS
A spicy, full of mouthy flavours fish fry inspired by the fish markets and the street spices of Mumbai in India. Served on flatbreads for a punchy taco meal.
Makes – To Serve 4
Ingredients
8 fresh Snapper cutlets
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
juice of half a lemon
salt to taste
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon ginger paste
1 tablespoon garlic paste
1 tablespoon chopped coriander root (optional)
sliced white onion (to serve)
fresh coriander leaves (to serve)
red chili slices (to serve)
lemon wedges (to serve)
whole wheat flatbreads
or tortillas (to serve)
oil for frying
Method
In a large bowl, combine oil, salt, turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground chili, lemon juice, coriander root, ginger paste and garlic paste. Mix well. Add the fish cutlets. Cover and marinate in the fridge for half an hour.
Heat a frying pan on high. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and swirl the pan gently to coat evenly with oil. Gently place four of the fish cutlets in the pan. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, turning over with wooden tongs till the desired consistency of charring is reached.
Repeat with another tablespoon of oil and fish cutlets.
To serve, arrange flatbreads or tortillas on a plate. Place one or two fish cutlets on the flatbread/tortilla. Top with onion slices, coriander leaves, chili slices and lemon wedges.
Oh dear… I’m pretty much always craving fish tacos. And these look full of such wonderful flavor.
Brian @ A Thought For Food´s last [type] ..Marinated Eggplant with Mint and Capers
Studying part-time at night can be so rewarding…and frustrating! (Trust me, I did a Masters part-time after hours for three years!) How are you finding your course? Shillington has a great reputation…
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3 years!!! you are brave. Thankfully mine is only for a year. I am loving it. We’ve got great teachers for our group at Shillington. I am learning so much
Wow…I just had dinner…and these delicious shots are making me hungry again! The spices pic is super gorgeous!
Archana´s last [type] ..Tomato-Carrot Soup with Basil Herbed Croutons
Beautiful recipe for fish which I’ll certainly follow: am certain shall like. Now, whether it will be served as a taco will depend what there is in the house at the time
! Good luck with your studies, try to ‘take care’ a many of my friends oft put it and know what you can leave or postpone or do without! Am studying hard myself, but distance education oft allows one to go at one’s own pace . . . delightful feeling tho’!!
Beautiful!!!!
I just saw this on pinterest and rushed here….
B/W wishing you all the best for your new course and all the projects…
I know it can be hard, I am too juggling lots in between… But in the end it is passion that counts… RIGHT!
Reem | Simply Reem´s last [type] ..Chicken Wonton Soup
thank you Reem! xx
Delicious shots. I love fish Taco. I juggled through full time work, home and family, so I know how it can get sometimes. All the best.
Lail | With A Spin´s last [type] ..Candied Winter Melon – Chal Kumrar Morobba
thanks Lail!
Wowza. My husband (who is all about steak and potatoes) would even love this. Thanks for sharing!
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Oh my. Your fish fry memories are similar to mine — it’s making me crave for fish fry now more than ever
Kudos to you on juggling so many responsibilities!
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I love fish tacos, these look mouth-watering!
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I love fried fish and in a taco, I love it even more, yours look divine. I love the combination of the spices too!
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Elegantly simple.
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Amazing that you can take on all those things at once – you’re like super-woman! I feel both empowered and pathetic in comparison, haha!
And of course, the fish tacos sound incredible. I’ve never had anything like it, but it looks like something I would just adore… then again, I adore most anything with spices like those! I loved reading this, and wanted to say am so happy you’re able to keep up with making posts like these even with such a hectic schedule. You’re an inspiration – thank you!
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My Indian hubby would looooooove these!
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Hi Sneh! Wow you are super busy but you still manage to show us the most beautiful dishes. I am so impressed by your juggling…and these lovely tacos.
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What a wonderful memory and fantastic sounding recipe. Sending you good thoughts for an extra hour in each day!
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thank you JJ! I really need it