To make the
marinade: Place the fish pieces into a bowl, then add the chile powder,
turmeric, and salt and stir well to coat the fish evenly. Set the fish aside to marinate for 1 hour.
In a deep, heavy-based saucepan, pour enough
vegetable oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a
deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 360 degrees F or until a
bread crumb sizzles, and turns golden brown when dropped in it.
Caution: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.
Carefully lower the marinated fish pieces into the hot oil and fry for 3 to 5 minutes, or until
crisp and golden brown. Remove the fish from the oil with a slotted spoon, and set aside to
drain on a tray lined with paper towels.
To make the pickle base: Heat the oil in a separate
frying pan. When the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and cover the pan with a lid. Fry for 20 to 30 seconds, or until the mustard seeds start to pop. Be careful of the popping seeds and the splattering oil. When the mustard seeds have finished popping, add the
curry leaves,
ginger and garlic, and fry over a low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown.
To make the
fish pickle powder: Mix the chile powder, turmeric, fenugreek, asafoetida, and salt to a paste in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon water. Add the fish pickle powder to the
pickle base mixture and stir until well combined. Continue to fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until the mixture starts to darken in color.
Place the fried fish pieces into the pan with the fish pickle paste, and stir well. Add the vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the vinegar has boiled. Season the mixture, to taste, with salt, and freshly ground black pepper, then set aside to cool.
Once the pickle has cooled, transfer it to a vacuum-sealed glass jar*. Chill the pickle in the fridge for 2 weeks before using.
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