Whole Fish Broiled in Thandoori Style Marinade/ Thandoori Fish

Recipe No: 236

This is something that I remember from my last visit to Kerala. We ate Thandoori Fish from a seaside restaurant in Fort Kochi which tasted so amazing and here is the result of my efforts to re-create that taste.

Ingredients                                         Serves 3

• Fish………………….................1 Whole; cleaned (around 600-700 grams after cleaning. I used a whole Tilapia)

For the Marinade

• Curd……………………............2 Tablespoons
• Salt………………………...........1 1/4 Teaspoons
• Turmeric Powder….............1/4 Teaspoon
• Red Chilly Powder…...........1/2 Teaspoon (depending on your taste use up to 1 teaspoon)
• Coriander Powder…….........1/2 Teaspoon
• Roasted Cumin Powder…...1/2 Teaspoon
• Garam Masala Powder…….1/4 Teaspoon
• Kasoori Methi………………....1 Teaspoon (Press and roll  between your palms to powder it.)
• Black Pepper Powder………..1/4 Teaspoon
• Fenugreek Powder……………1/8 Teaspoon (Uluva Podi)
• Lemon Juice…………………….2 Teaspoons
• Oil…………………………………..1 ½ Tablespoons

Method of Preparation

1. Clean the Fish by taking out scales (if any), gills and the intestine (I retained the head for  presentation). Wash and dry thoroughly.
2. Score the Fish in two directions so as to make some slits which will allow the Flesh to absorb the marinade. (This step is very important if you are using Tilapia as it doesn't have a strong taste.)
3. Mix all the ingredients mentioned in the ‘to marinade’ section into a paste.
4. Apply the marinade all over the Fish taking care to push it into all the slits and the stomach cavity.  Cover the Fish and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 8 hours, even though overnight is preferred.
5. Preheat the oven on  broil high mode for 5 minutes.
6. Place the Fish in a lightly oiled broiler pan  and place it either on the first or the second rack from the top.
7. Let it cook for around 12 minutes on each side or till the Fish is cooked thoroughly and slightly darkened here and there.
8. Serve hot with preferred side dishes.

Notes:

• To make roasted Cumin powder, either fry Cumin Powder in a dry pan on medium low heat till fragrant and slightly brown or powder whole Cumin Seeds which is dry roasted (without Oil) in a pan on medium low heat till fragrant and slightly brown.
• Washing Fish in Salt or Lemon Juice will help reduce its fishy smell and sliminess.
• Refrigerate the marinated Fish in the broiling pan itself so that you don’t have to transfer it to another pan for broiling.
• Lining the broiler pan with an Aluminum foil will make cleaning easy. (Don't forget to Oil the foil.)
• Let the Fish come to a room temperature before broiling to ensure even cooking.
• Usually glass pans are not used for broiling. So please use an oven safe metal pan.
• In a broiler mode only one coil/ burner of the oven works; usually the top one. So placing the food near the coil  will help in getting as much heat as possible mimicking the ‘Thandoor’ effect. The distance of the racks from the top coil varies from oven to oven. For this particular dish, place the Fish in the rack that is 4-5 inches below the coil.
• Even though this dish can be made with Fish pieces, I never tried it. I love to use whole Fish in this recipe.
• Even though I used Tilapia, you can use any fish with thickness in flesh and no bones running through the flesh.
• Use a bit of red color if you want that signature red color of Thandoori Fish.

Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love…