Tawa Machi (Pan Fried Fish)

Tawa Machi (Pan fried fish)

Fish are very healthy as they are rich in omega-3 oil and vitamin A and vitamin D. They are extremely good for skin and hair. Adding fish in diet results in radiant skin and reduction of hair fall, strong and shiny hair. Pan fried fish / Fish wrapped in turmeric leaf or banana leaf and then steamed are healthiest form of fish to be eaten as the low temperature cooking ensures that none of the nutrients are destroyed. In coastal areas of India especially West Bengal  and Kerala where fish is the primary diet of people one will find ladies with black, lustrous, long shiny hair. I love fish in any and every form but Pan fried fish (Tawa Machi)is my all time favorite.

Preparation Time:  60 min.

Cooking Time: 20 min. for each piece if cooked separately. If larger pan is used then all pieces can be cooked in 20-30 min.

Servings : 4 large serves

Ingredients Required for Making Tawa Fish:

• 4, 1-1 1/2cm. thick slices of Greas Carp {Carp fish, (Labeo Rohita)} Rohu /(Lady fish) Surmai

• 50 gm. Ginger Paste

• 50 gm. Garlic Paste

• 1/2 Tea spoon Turmeric Powder

• 1 Tea spoon Red Chili Powder

• 1/2Tea spoon Garam masala

• 1Tea spoon Amchur (Dry raw mango powder)

• 1 Tea spoon Coriander seeds powder

• 1/2Tea spoon Salt

Fish and spices for marinade

• 2 Lemons

• 2 Tea spoon Mustard oil / Olive / Rice bran oil/Any cooking oil

Directions for Making Tawa Machi (Pan Fried Fish):

• Wash the fish pieces in flowing water gently.

Surmai fish washed in fresh water and pat dried

• Pat dry and rub one lemon juice on both sides of each piece and leave for 10 min.

Lemon juice applied on the washed fish and left for 10 min. before washing again

 

• Drain the liquid and wash nicely again.

• Drain all water and pat dry with a soft towel / cloth.

• Squeeze one lemon and apply the juice on both sides of fish pieces and leave for 20-30 minute to marinate in lemon juice.

Washed fish with Lemon juice

Washed fish being coated with Lemon juices

• To make marinade mix 

• Ginger paste,
•  Garlic paste,
•  Coriander powder,
•  Red chili powder,
•  Garam masala, 
• Turmeric powder,
• Amchur and
•  Salt.

Marinade for Fish

• Apply the marinade nicely on both sides of fish marinated in lemon juice.

• Cover and leave for 30 minutes for fish to marinate in spices mixture and the flavor of spices to seep in the fish.

Ready for marination for 30 minutes

• Heat a non- stick Tawa (Thick flat plate) / Pan and apply 1/4Tea spoon of oil on it.

1/2Tea spoon oil spread on the Non-stick pan

• Gently place the marinated fish in it and allow to cook on low flame for 10 min. The fish will change the color and the side touching the tawa will become light brown.

Marinated fish being cooked on Non-stick pan with 2 drops of oil

• The Juices will also start coming and in the process of cooking they will get absorbed in the fish.

• Gently flip the fish piece, sprinkle 2 drops of oil on it and cook the other side also on low flame for about 10 minutes.

• Both the sides should become light brown.

Cooking till it becomes golden brown from both sides. The color of the fish has chenged

• The fish will feel tender after getting cooked.

• Take out the Pan fried least oily fish on a plate and serve with a wedge of lemon and onion and tomato rings.

Tawa Machi

• Repeat the same with all fish pieces if you are cooking them separately in small pan or cook them together on a larger tawa/ pan.

Tips:

• This fish tastes best with mustard oil.

• Make sure the fish is washed till clear water comes out during first wash.

• Handle fish gently as fish is delicate item.

• Cook always on low flame so that the fish gets cooked right to the core and does not get burnt.

• Use a thin edged broad spatula for turning over the fish to ensure it does not break.

• Since fish has its own oil so just greasing the pan for the first time when the fish is placed is enough.

• Since fish is salty, so excess salt should be avoided.

• Do not overcook the fish as over cooking will make it hard and chewy.

Suggested Variations:

• Fish fillets can be taken for making pan fried fish
• 3-4 Tea spoons of  mustard sauce can de added to the marinade for tangy flavor.

• 2-3 Tea spoons of rice flour / corn flour / whole wheat flour can be added to the marinade. This will make sure that the fish does not break while flipping.

• Bread crumbs can be sprinkled on marinated fish to make it crispy.

• Finely cut fresh coriander leaves can be added to the marinade.