Machli Karahi Recipe:
Fish Karahi or Machli Karahi is a spicy and hot South Asian curry and the blue-eyed babies of South Asia and also the favorite of North Indians, except the Pakistanis. “Karahi” is, in fact, a very old wok-style pan with which the dish is cooked. This fish recipe is renowned for hot spicy gravy, soft pieces of fish, and light seasoning of a mix of spices and herbs. Machli Karahi recipe is ideal combination of strong aromas that will tickle your senses and bring the flavor of original Pakistani recipes to your kitchen.
Introduction to Machli Karahi
Fish recipes are well-liked all over the world, but Machli Karahi is Pakistani. Raw fish cooked in hot and sour karahi sauce has a different taste, relished by sea food enthusiasts. Side dish is commonly naan, chapati, or steam rice, and members of the family share the recipe of the dish after dinner at home parties, celebrations, and ceremonies. It is easy to cook, but its own taste makes the dish relished with the blend of spices prepared. The recipe combines fish richness and spice flavor and therefore is an ideal fusion of comfort food richness. This recipe can be prepared with any variety of fish, but catfish, carp, and pomfret are the most preferred ones.
Machli Karahi Ingredients
Ingredients that are used while preparing Machli Karahi can be explained as follows:
To make Machli Karahi, you would require some fresh spices and all the remaining ingredients. The ingredients provided would be enough to prepare food for four individuals:
500g fish (Boneless) – Any fish preferably catfish or pomfret. Or any hard fish which is readily available and can be made.
2 medium onions – Very finely chopped.
2 medium-sized tomatoes – Chopped up or blunted.
4-5 Green Chilies – Slit or chopped to add some heat.
1-inch Ginger piece – Julienned or grated.
6 cloves of Garlic – Crushed or minced.
Fresh Cilantro – Fresh bunch, finely chopped as garnish.
Lemon (1) – For that lemon zing.
Spices:
1 tsp of Red Chili Powder – To add heat and color.
½ tsp of Turmeric Powder – To add color and earthy flavor.
Cumin Powder (1 tsp) – Smoky depth.
Coriander Powder (1 tsp) – Lemon flavor.
Garam Masala (½ tsp) – Hot spice mix.
Salt (to taste) – To taste.
For Tempering:
Oil (2-3 tbsp) – Neutral oil or ghee.
Whole Cumin Seeds (½ tsp) – For plain taste.
Bay Leaves (2) – For extra fragrance.
Preparation of Fish for Machli Karahi
Use freshly pre-cooked fish. Use frozen fish thawed. De-scale or de-bone fish if necessary. Cut the fish in medium-sized pieces or whole in large pieces. Marinate the fish to your own taste but best for flavors.
To marinate, mix fish pieces with a pinch of salt, a pinch of turmeric powder, and a tbsp of yogurt, if one has it, and leave for 30 minutes. That is to season the fish with the spices and the whole dish nice.
Cooking Machli Karahi
Preparation of Machli Karahi is simple but with a secret touch in very small ratio of spices and fresh ingredients. Now let us know the simple step-by-step recipe of preparing it.
1. Heat the Oil:
Heat 2-3 tablespoons seasoning oil in deep karahi (wok) over a medium heat. Put cumin seeds and bay leaves in hot oil. Lightly fry the bay leaves for about a couple of seconds in such a manner that they would start to release their flavor.
Put sliced onions in hot oil. Fry onions for 2-3 minutes until onions get soft and pale brown. Add crushed garlic and minced ginger and fry for 2-3 minutes. Your kitchen would now smell like ginger-garlic paste.
3. Add Tomatoes and Green Chilies:
Now add the green chilies and the chopped tomatoes to the pan. Stir and allow the mixture to cook for 5-7 minutes, until tomatoes are soft and begin secreting out juice. Pre-pureeing can be tried to the tomatoes if they are to be smooth.
4. Spices:
Mix red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt and make a dark, thick masala (spice base). Roast the same for two minutes in oil until oil begins oozing from the masala.
5. Add the Fish:
Put the marinated fish pieces gently into the masala in the karahi gradually without the fish breaking. Gently stir the spices over the fish so the fish gets coated well but do not stir hard so the fish will not break. Cover the karahi and simmer on low to medium heat for 10-12 minutes.
6. Finishing Touches:
When ready, taste the salt or spice and season to taste. Mix the garam masala and mix well with it together. Serve garnished with choppings of coriander and squeeze of lemon juice for that burst of flavor.
7. Serve:
Serve Machli Karahi hot steam with naan, chapati, or steam rice. Mouthfeel should be rich and dense with flavor and the fish tender, swimming in the spiciness of the spices.
**Perfect Machli Karahi Tips:**
Fish selection: Use firm and fresh fish that will not get deformed upon cooking. Do not use very soft fish since it will become mushy upon cooking.
Spice: Vary the degree of spiciness according to preference. In a bid to have a less spicy one, use either less red chili powder or green chilies.
Simmering: Allow the stirring so that you can come back once you have added the fish because it will ruin the fish and even the melt. Simmer the fish slowly so that the fish absorbs everything as far as flavor is concerned.
Karahi Choice: Karahi pan or wok pan would be perfect because it will get the job done because it is heat-proof. Any big and wide pan will suffice if you do not have this one.
Conclusion
Machli Karahi is that dish which would overpower the fish tender flavor and the strong spice flavor very easily.
You would prefer anything other than your guest’s taste or home food so that you relax and feel at ease, whichever way you’ll be eating the same food that would fill your stomach. The. instructions are so easy to follow that you can cook any fish of your preference. and gourmet with the help of supporting spices. couples’ paradise. Use your ingredients, boil your stove, and enjoy the overpowering, pungent taste. of Machli Karahi. Savor the delicacy of passion, fish, and spices that drive the dish to frenzy levels as it is one of the Pakistani food phenomena.
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