Fish in Cabbage/ Cabbage Fish Curry in Coconut milk

“Fish in Cabbage”! You must be wondering what I am up-to. Well, to be honest, I am super excited, as this is my first blog. The past few days I was thinking about this and this only; about my first recipe, which should be special and exceptional. And finally I settled on “Fish in Cabbage “(Fish and cabbage in a delicious coconut milk gravy). This was my mom’s special dish when we had guests at home. So it was special and I used to ask her to make it for me often and she would just do that. Sardines in Cabbage/ Cabbage Mathi curry for usual menu and Seer fish in Cabbage when guests came. Both are delicious versions and has different tastes. Since this is special I am sticking to the Seer Fish curry in coconut milk recipe.

Fish in Cabbage is a delicious fish curry; fish pieces are cooked with cabbage and spices in rich coconut milk. This dish is likely to be the result of Portuguese influence in Kerala Christian cuisine, with modifications to suit the local taste. It is spicy and delicious and a great side dish to Kerala Rice meals or Pulao. Kerala Fish Molee, Fish Mappas, Fish Caldine and Goan Chicken Xacuti are other Portuguese influenced dishes.

In Kerala, each region has their own special way of cooking Fish, like Alleppey Fish Curry, Kottayam style Fish curry, Palakkadan Fish Masala, Spicy Tangy Fish curry, Ayala curry with Mangoes etc. Fish and Cabbage is a variety fish curry that you can proudly serve your guests! Cabbage Cabbage is excellent source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, folate, fiber and other nutrients and is great for your diet. You should check my other cabbage combinations like cherupayar Cabbage thoran, Cabbage Irachi thoran etc. Although it is a unusual combination, Fish in cabbage is a delicious side dish to serve with riice. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

For Masala:

Method:

First make the masala paste by mixing all ingredients with enough salt and little water. Take half of this paste and marinate seer fish slices with it. In a non- stick pan, pour little oil, shallow fry fish pieces in low flame to just a slight brown colour and keep aside.

Remove excess oil and grains from the pan. Chop onions and cabbage finely into very small square pieces. Cut the green chillies into small rounds and sauté together with onions and cabbage and curry leaves in oil. Once the raw smell is gone, add the remaining masala paste and sauté for some time. Add vinegar and add one tomato chopped. Sauté or another minute and take out half the finished gravy and keep aside.

Spread the fried fish pieces nicely in the pan. Cut the tomatoes into very thin round slices and arrange on top of the fish.Top it/ cover with the remaining gravy.  Now without disturbing the decoration, gently pour the skimmed coconut milk and swirl the pan to mix the masala. Spare the spoons and just twist and swirl the pan. Cover and cook this on a low flame occasionally swirling the pan. Add more salt if required. Lastly add the thick coconut milk and swirl again. Switch off gas before it boils.

Transfer to a serving plate. Your special dish is ready. Serve Fish in Cabbage along with Rice, Veg. Pulav, Rotis, Naan.

Tips:

• Always use little oil as excess oil is not healthy.
• Use Coconut oil for best flavors.
•  Any Fleshy White fish can be used for making this. I have used Seer Fish/ King Fish.
• This can be prepared with sardines also, do not fry the sardines just marinate with the Masala and add to the gravy.
• Cabbage and onions should be finely chopped.
• Adjust the spices as per your taste.

Happy cooking! Let me know if you liked this. God Bless!!