Kerala Fish Stew/ Fish Molee (Meen Moilee / Molly)

  
       Fish molee is a typical Syrian Christian delicacy which is really dear to our Kerala Christians...A traditional common breakfast/ dinner during Christmas..Usually along with  pancakes (appams) or bread , rice breads (Pathiri) or steamed rice cakes (puttu) ...

       The name 'molee' is derived from the Spanish word "mole" which means stew.....The stew derives its characteristic taste from the freshness of the fish, the coconut milk and the black pepper.... Compromise on one and it becomes just an imitation of a normal fish curry...

 

       The curry has its enhanced taste by stewing fish in coconut milk infused with fresh ginger, garlic, freshly grinded peppercorns and other delicate flavors along with a lot more of green chilly..... 

     As a variation, some do fry the fish a bit so that it doesn’t break up in the cooking process, which does give a crispy flavor....Its really light and simple....Give it a try this Christmas night..!!
 

Ingredients

1.Fresh Fish-1/2 kg

2.Onion-2 (medium sized..sliced)

3.Ginger-1 tbsp (thin slices)

4.Garlic-1 tbsp (thin slices)

5.Green Chilly-6 or more(slit & cut into halves)

6.Coconut Milk- 2 cups / 1 3/4 cup

7.Tomato-2 (medium sized..chopped)

8.Vinegar- 1 tbsp

9.Cashew Nuts-10 -15 

10.Curry leaves-2-3 springs

11.Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp

12.Black peppercorns crushed-1/2 tsp

13.Cloves (grambu)-3

14.Cardamom (elakka)-2-3

15.Cinnamon (patta)-1 small stick

16.Oil-2 tbsp

17.Garam masala-1/2 tsp

18.Fennel seeds powder-1/2 tsp
 

Preparation

~Heat oil in a  traditional monchatti (earthen vessel) or in a kadai.

~Temper cloves, cardamom & cinnamon for 1 min.

~Saute onions with salt.

~Saute ginger, garlic, green chillies with curry leaves for 2 mins.
 

~Add 1 1/2 chopped tomatoes & saute till mushy.

~Add pepper, turmeric powder & mix well.
 

~Grind the nuts along with little coconut milk to a paste.

~Add 1 1/2 cup coconut milk, vinegar, garam masala, fennel seeds powder along with nuts paste & allow it to boil.
 

~Adjust the salt, green chilly/pepper according to your taste.

~Now add the cleaned fish along with the rest of the tomato into this.

~Cover & cook for 10 mins in high to medium flame. 

~Add more of curry leaves  & cook for 10 mins more in low flame (stir occassionally)

~Off the flame & cover it for atleast 15 mins before serving.