Masala Fish in Banana Leaf

Ingredients:

1. 1Kg , 2 Pound Fish (2-3 Pomfret, 2-3 Mackerel are ideal). Small size fish would be good in this preparation
2. 1-1.5 cup grated coconut
3. 2-3 Red chilies (based on spice level)
4. 2-5 green chillies (based on spice level)
5. 1 tablespoon(s) coriander seeds
6. 2 teaspoon(s) cumin seeds
7. 2 tablespoon(s) chopped garlic
8. few fenugreek seeds
9. 2 tablespoon(s) lemon juice
10. 1 cup chopped coriander leaves

Methodology:

1. Clean the fish, make horizontal slits which are not deep, and one side way slit from the gill area till tail going side-by-side for putting masala inside. Make sure you don't cut the fish in to 2 halves.
2. Put some salt, lemon juice and keep it for 30-45 minutes.
3. Fry 2 to 8 for about 2 minutes and then grind it to fine paste with 10 and 1 table spoon lemon with little water, paste has to be thick.
4. Apply the masala to inside the fish and outside.
5. Place the masala applied fish on the banana leaf. Carefully tie fish with thread so that it stays intact.
6. Now there are 2 ways to proceed. a) can steam the fish with banana leaf in idli or any steamer, b) shallow fry for 1-2 minutes and bake it in oven for few minutes.

You can sprinkle little fresh lemon or give "tadka" of curry-leaves and green chillies for further spicying this.