FOOD : Star Starters : Coastal Fish Fry

I have been kinda 'off and on' with my craving for sea food. There was a time, when I had completely given up all kinds of meat, not that i used to venture into many kinds either, but I'm glad that I have got to take pleasure in Sea food again, which is so inseparable from me, considering i straight walk out of the coastal belt of Karnataka. We have always grown up eating fish, prawns, crabs, etc, and the perfect accompaniment for any sea food dish, for a lunch time, is the Solkadi. It will straight drive you to the coziest corner of your house for that perfect nap :-)

Solkadi is basically a drink made out of Kokum/Amsol which is a typical Konkan Fruit. Its a seasonal fruit, available in dried form(also as a fruit-but dont remember eating it), or you could also grab a jar of Kokum extract (not the juice) when you take a trip through Goa next time.

So, for the basic Fish fry,
You will need fish (slice it thick, so its fun ), tamarind extract, lots of crushed garlic, chilli powder, salt, semolina and rice flour mixed together.
-In a bowl, marinate the fish with salt and keep aside for 5 min.

-Mix in the tamarind extract, garlic, chilli powder(be generous with this, nothing like a spicy fish fry) enough to coat the fish well. Leave it for bout 15 min.

-in a plate, keep the rava/rice flour mix ready, coat the fish with this, put it on the Tava which is already oiled well (coconut oil here will just ship you to the beautiful coastal belt) flip it and let it cook, Remember sea food should not be overcooked, threaten it with just enough heat and when done, celebrate it with joy!! :).. Meanwhile keep the steamed rice ready... Before i move on, you could try this with just about any kind of sea food.

and for the Solkadi, you will need grated coconut (easily bout 3/4 of the coconut) 2 medium sized/1 big green chilli, 1-2 (not more) garlic, salt, grind all of this, and you will need 2 rounds of the thick coconut milk (for the 2nd round, add in a little water). To this add the kokum extract (if you dont have it ready, you have to soak the kokum in luke warm water and then add it while grinding, not more, but just about 3-4) once done, garnish it with finely chopped coriander leaves..

So here's the perfect meal, steamed rice, Solkadi and the delicate Fish Fry!!