Perfectly Punjabi!

The streets of Amritsar are famous for their culinary delights and many, many foodies have lost their hearts to the fascinating gastronomic delights of Punjab. One enduring favourite from the streets and backstreets of Amritsar is the famous Amritsari Fish Fry. Since the season is just right and festivities are right round the corner, let’s give it a try.

You will need the following ingredients:

1. Fish: 8 fillets

2. Mustard Oil: 4 tablespoon

3. Gram Flour: 200 gram

4. Egg: 1

5. Garlic Paste: 1 tablespoon

6. Ginger Paste: 1 tablespoon

7. Red Chilli Powder: 1 tablespoon

8. Carom (Ajwain): 1 teaspoon

9. Yogurt: 100 gram

10. Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon

11. Salt: to taste and for marinating

Preparation:

Choose any river fish based on your preferences and the seasonal availability. Traditionally, Sole or Singhara is used to make this dish. Wash and clean the fish. Then cut the fillets into medium-sized cubes.

Next, you will need to marinate the fish cubes in salt, lemon juice, garlic paste, ginger paste and red chilli powder. Make sure that each piece of fish is well-coated in the marinade. Keep the marinated pieces aside for around 30 minutes.

Method:

Mix the gram flour, egg, yogurt, carom, salt and a little water to prepare a batter. Now place the marinated fish pieces in this batter and keep aside for 15 minutes.

Heat the Mustard Oil in a pan. Deep fry the fish pieces on a medium flame till they turn a rich shade of golden brown. The pieces should be crisp after frying.

Serve your Amritsari Fish Fry hot with lemon slices or lemon wedges. You can have it as a snack or make a meal of it with the equally famous Amritsari Kulcha.

If you would like to get the exact same flavour as the fried fish that you find on the streets of Amritsar, sprinkle a little Chaat Masala on the pieces of fish before serving.

This recipe has been around for hundreds of years. In pre-Independence India, this delicacy was known as Lahori Fish. Makhan Singh, an old chef in the by-lanes of Amritsar points out that the secret of getting the recipe for Amritsari Fish Fry just right is to ensure that the fish and all the ingredients are fresh. Fish from cold storage and packaged spices and ingredients will not produce that magical taste.

Enjoy this very special Taste of Punjab!

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