Fish Cocktail Recipe the Indian Way

Fish Cocktail is a “starter” or appetiser that you may get with your drinks in some clubs in India. Tastier and more flavourful than the humble fish finger fry, because it uses garam masala, this dish is generally a hit with people of all ages.

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

Sliced Fish-1/2 Kg (18oz) (2 cups)

Note: If frozen, please thaw the fish first.

Ginger paste- 1 teaspoon

Garlic paste- 1 teaspoon

Green Chillies (deseeded and finely chopped)- 2

Black pepper (crushed) – ¼ teaspoon

Garam Masala– ½ teaspoon

Tip: If you can’t get ready-made garam masala mixture from a nearby Indian store, you can make yours by using 1 black cardamom, 3 green cardamoms, 4 cloves, and 1 inch cinnamon-all ground together for this dish.

Tomato ketchup- 1 tablespoon

Lemon juice- 1 teaspoon

Fresh coriander (Cilantro) leaves (finely chopped) – 2 tablespoon

Bread slices- 2

Egg- 1 (lightly beaten)

Salt- ½ teaspoon or to taste

Cooking Oil (enough to deep fry) – depends on the size of your wok/deep frying pan

Method

In a deep pan, put the fish and pour water to cover the fish.

Put this on your heat source and bring it to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes.

Meanwhile dip the bread pieces in water and immediately squeeze out all the water. Keep aside.

Switch off the heat source and take out the fish.

If you are using a fish with bones, let the fish become cool enough to touch. Then debone the fish carefully.

Otherwise use a fork to mash up your boneless fish right away.

After mashing up the fish, add all the ingredients mentioned above, including the bread but except the oil.

Take a tablespoon of this mixture in your hands and squeeze it into an oblong shape.

Repeat till all the fish is thus shaped.

Heat oil in a frying pan or wok.

Take 3-4 pieces of the cocktail, and gently slide into the hot oil.

Gently turn them around and take out from the oil when they are nice and golden brown.

Remove to a plate (covered with a paper napkin to absorb the excess oil) and add the next batch to the oil.

Repeat till all the fish cocktails are fried.

Please do ensure that the fish does not burn.

That’s all. Your Fish Cocktails are ready.

If using an Air Fryer

Pre-heat the Air Fryer at 200 degree C (392 degrees F) for 5 minutes.

Follow all the preparatory steps listed above till you come to frying.

At this stage, with a silicon brush, gently brush the fish cocktail pieces with a little oil on both sides.

Place the fish in the Air Fryer in a way that all pieces remain separate and NOT on top of one another.

Air fry for 10 minutes at 200 degree C (392 degrees F).

Repeat till all the fish pieces are air fried.

Prep time: 15 minutes for wok/ pan; Plus 5 minutes if using the Air Fryer

Cooking time: 2 minutes @ each batch for wok/pan; 10 minutes@ each batch for Air Fryer

Total time: Approximately 25 minutes for wok/pan; 40 minutes for Air Fryer

[This recipe is an excerpt from my book “The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Fish the Indian Way.”]

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