I tool para meen to make this pollichathu. In a bowl add juice of one lemon.

Add 1 tbsp red chilly powder, 1/4 th tsp turmeric and required salt

You can also add coriander powder.

Add 2 tsp of coconut oil. coconut oil makes the masala to bind well and gives nice flavor and taste

Mix well without any lumps

Add little water and make thick paste. The masala paste for marination is ready.

Now apply the masala on the fish. Marinate for 1/2 -1 hour. Apply all over the fish and in between cuts.

Preheat tawa, add oil and fry the marinated fish

As the fish is big keep in low flame and cook properly.

Turn both sides gently and cook the fish. The fish is almost cooked. Remove from tawa and keep aside.

Next let us grind and make a paste for making pollichathu. Add a handfull of shallots.

Add 10-12 peeled garlic cloves, 2 tomatoes and grind to fine paste. Keep aside

Onion, garlic and tomato paste is ready.

In a pan add the oil used to fry the fish or 2 tsp oil.

Add 1/2 tsp cumin seeds

Add few curry leaves

Add shallots and Saute well

Add prepared onion and tomato paste

Add a tsp of red chilly powder, Add a tsp of coriander powder, Add 1/4 th tsp turmeric powder, Add 1/4 tsp pepper powder, Add required salt and mix well.

Let it cook well till oil oozes out do not add water

Now the gravy is ready

Now heat the banana leaf so that its easy to fold

Place the banana leaf, Add the gravy prepared.

Place the fried fish on it, Again keep the gravy on the top of the fish. Apply all over.

Place a banana leaf on top

Cover and wrap the fish gently and tie it. Secure it well as we are going to fry this fish banana leaf wrap in tawa.

Add coconut oil

Place on tawa keep in low flame and fry both sides

After frying both sides for about 10 mins switch off and keep aside

Meen Pollichathu is ready serve hot

Spicy and yummy kerala style Meen Pollichathu