Meen Pollichathu - Fish Cooked in Banana Leaf

Meen pollichathu is done with Karimeen (Pearl Spot fish), whole fish is cooked and wrapped in  banana leaf with some curry. Served in the banana leaf with a grilled food feel. This is star recipe of Kerala cuisine. I have used pomfret fish for making the recipe if you have got karimeen or any whole fish its fine.

Some use aluminium foil to wrap, please don't do that the main flavour of the recipe is burnt banana leaf. I like to be traditional with my cooking to attain the exact taste of the recipe.

Ingrediants :

Whole Fish (Pearl Spot fish/ pomfret fish)  - 1 no
Chopped chilly - 3 nos
Chopped ginger - 2 tsp
Chopped small onions - 10 nos
Chopped tomato - 1 no
Coocnut milk - 1/2 cup
Chilly powder - 2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt for tatse
Curry leaves - 10-15 nos
Coconut oil - 3 tsp
Banana leaf - 1 no

For marination : 

1. Clean fish and marinate with salt and turmeric powder (1/4 tsp) for 5 minutes 
2. Add chilly powder (1 tsp) and coriander powder (1/2 tsp) to the fish and marinate for 10-15 minutes. 

For Fish fry : 

1. In a pan, add 1 tsp of coconut oil, and fry the fish for 5 minutes in low flame. 
2. Do the same with the other side similar way 
3. Remove from heat and keep aside 

For banana leaf :

1. Lightly heat a banana leaf on a stove top. This is to make the leaf unbreakable and also gives a nonstick effect which we need for this curry.
2. Place the fried fish on the banana leaf 

For curry :  

1. In the same pan, heat 2 tsp of coconut oil, add in curry leaves.
2. Add green chilly and ginger. Saute for two minutes. 
   
3. Add small onions and cook till soft 
4. Add in some curry leaves for more flavours 
5. Then add the chilly powder, turmeric and coriander powder, salt and mix well.
   
6. Add tomato and cook till soft
7. Add coconut milk to the curry. 
8. Cook the curry till all moisture disappears 

For arranging : 

1. Place the curry on top of the fried fish placed in the banana leaf.
2. Fold the banana leaf from all sides and make it into a packet. (if needed tie with the banana leaf string) 
3. Heat a Tawa with little coconut oil
4. Place the packet on top and cook for 5-7 min on each side in low flame 
5. If needed drizzle little oil and then turn to another side

For Serving :

1. Open the packet just before eating 
2. The curry and fish will be cooked nicely with banana leaf burnt flavours