Kerala style baked fish

This is a simple kerala style baked fish. It is also known as Meen polichathu in kerala. It is one of the lighter way to cook fish which makes a healthy dinner for a family. This is mostly baked in oven by wrapping the fish with a banana leaf. Since it is tough to find banana leaf in my area, I used silver foil for baking.

Prep time: 25 mins:

Cook time: 40 mins

Total time: 1 hour and 5 mins

Ingredients:

For Marinating:

Tilapia fish fillets – 2

Red chili powder – 2 tsp

Garlic powder – ½ tsp

Pepper powder – ½ tsp

Salt to taste

For Sauce:

Oil – 1 tbsp

Onion – 1 chopped

Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp

Green chilies – 3, slit

Red chili powder – 1 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tsp

Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

Garam masala – ½ tsp

Tomato – 1, chopped

Salt to taste

Lime juice – 1 tsp

Cilantro to garnish

Method:

1. Marinate the fish with all the spice powders and salt. Refrigerate it at least for 1 hour.

2. Heat oil in a skillet, saute onion till it turns golden brown. Add green chilies, ginger garlic paste and saute till the raw smell goes off.

3. Add all the spice powders, salt and tomato, saute till it turns mushy. At last add lime juice and cilantro.

4. Heat the oven to 400 F. Place the silver foil on the tray and grease it. Place some of the cooked sauce in center of the foil. Place the fish on the top and spread some more sauce over the fish.

5. Tightly cover the fish with the foil and seal the edges so it can be formed as packed parcel.

6. Place the tray in oven and bake it for about 40 minutes. Now the juicy baked fish is ready for serving.