Pomfret Steaks in Hara Masala

Recently a blogger friend of mine who maintains a blog dedicated exclusively to fishes shared an award with me. The award, meant to inspire fellow bloggers, has 8 questions which you will find answered at the end of this section.

Concerning the recipe now, this hara masala is an exotic spicy amalgam of different flavours like coconut, kokum extracts and a handful of Indian spices. The fineness of the dish depends largely on the quality of fishes. So please make sure that the fishes used are fresh and although I have cooked it with Pomfret, I believe it will equally taste nice with other sea fishes like Salmon and Red Snapper. Since kokum extracts is not very easily available, I have substituted kokum with tamarind extracts.

Ingredients:                                       Cooking time: 10-15 minutes ü  8 fillets of Pomfret fish ü  4-5 garlic cloves ü  1 tbsp cumin seeds ü  1 tsp coriander seeds ü  5-6 green chillies ü  1 coconut, grated ü  2 tbsp turmeric powder ü  1 tsp ginger paste ü  3-4 tbsp of tamarind extract ü  A large handful of fresh coriander leaves ü  Salt to taste ü  Lemon juice, taste wise ü  White oil for frying Method: 1) Rub turmeric powder on the fish fillets using few drops of oil to spread it uniformly. 2) In a frying pan, dry roast cumin seeds, coriander seeds & grated coconut till the coconut turns a light brown in color. 3) Grind the roasted coconut mixture, ginger, garlic, green chillies, salt, coriander leaves & tamarind extract into a fine paste. 4) Marinate the fish fillets with the above mixture for about half an hour in the fridge. 5) Heat the oil in a non-stick pan and fry the marinated fish steaks on low flame till they get a nice caramelized color. 6) Turn the fish over and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Switch off the gas, cover the frying pan and let the fish in residual heat for about 5 minutes. 7) Squeeze lemon juice on top before serving.


Coming back to the award questions, firstly before I begin answering, I would like to thank Shonali Pradhan of Only Fish Recipes for remembering me and extending the award to me.

1. What makes you laugh, smile or giggle?
 Ans: When movies like Blue Lagoon and Basic Instincts are telecast on television at midnight but shown as designed to suit child viewers censoring all erotic and kissing scenes, I break into a fit of giggles at the hypocrisy of our culture. Our population increase has been constantly high and still we treat the subject of sex like a taboo. Besides this, any funny anecdote or joke shared on FB or otherwise bring a smile to my face. 


2. What are your dreams for future?
 Ans: I am a dreamy person and whether or not my dreams come true, I keep dreaming. In my reverie, I attain the unattainable, do the things I won't do with all my sense in one place, like sky-diving, paragliding, bungee jumping and so on. As for future, after 40 years from now provided I am alive still then, I would like to look back to my past and feel content.


3. If you are going to a cruise, where would it be and why?
 Ans: Caribbean Islands, of course to spend a luxurious vacation, (provided my pecuniary condition allows that luxury) 


4. How would you spend your vacation and with whom?
 Ans: I always love spending my vacation with family and friends, chirping, eating and chirping.


5. If given a life, what life would you choose ? Your life now or your past?
 Ans: Both the life that I am leading now with my hubby and the life spent growing up under the care of my parents, siblings and playing with my late dog Bonnie are equally precious to me. I can’t choose one over the other.


6. Is there something that you wished before when you were young but you didn't get it?
 Ans: So many. The list is long.


7. Have you been in a situation where you might have given up but you still choose to move on?
 Ans: Aplenty. Life goes on no matter what happens and you never know what's waiting for you at each juncture of your life. So move on.


8. Is there someone in your life who has been your source of strength and inspiration?
 Ans: Source of strength is definitely my husband. As for inspiration, there are so many people I look up to that taking only one name would be truly unfair.