This Mangalorean Style Rava Pomfret Fish Fry is coastal India's claim to fame. Its a crunchy fried fish recipe but there is so much more to it than what meets the eye! The flavor beneath the crunchy rava layer is delicious because of the magical spice that hits you with the first bite!
I'm surprised I haven't shared more seafood recipes on the blog, because I'm a big fan. But I'll be correcting that soon, starting with this Mangalorean style Rava Pomfret Fish Fry.
Left to Denver, we would end up having Seer (Surmai / Anjal) every time we eat fish. I manage to get my way once in awhile. Don't roll your eyes. Which fish to eat is a major decision in our lives.
This rava pomfret fry is quite deceptive. You see all that crust and think - Meh. Another crunchy fried fish recipe. I'll just take my fish and chips please, thank you. But wait for that spicy flavor bomb to hit you. It's all hidden under that layer of rava aka semolina. I like to call it the Indian queen fish ofĀ Fish and Chips fame. Because that's what it is - Coastal India's answer to the fried, oily fish and chips that we all love so much!
This is a lazy girl's recipe. Because it has 4 ingredients, if you already have some Meet Mirsang handy. Now I won't blame you if you don't know what that funny name means. These are the perks of being married in a Mangalorean family. Meet mirsang is a mangalorean masala or marinade that can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for months. I recommend always keeping a jar of Meet Mirsang in the fridge. It's the BEST marinade you will ever make. And THE ONLY one. Trust me guys. If you love crazy spicy food that can be made with one killer marinade and tastes great EVERY TIME - this is it.
Plus all that crust. It doesn't go wimpy on you after a while. Stays crunchy. Because rava/semolina is awesome like that - naturally crunchy.
That's one last picture before you go. So that you can get a close, hard look at this crunchy rava pomfret fish fry and get tempted. Oh so so tempted.
Make this a fantastic Sunday meal with:
- Mangalorean Chicken Kori Rotti
- Mangalorean Ripe Mango Curry
- Steamed Rice orĀ Boiled Rice!
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Rava Pomfret Fish Fry (Mangalorean Style)
Ingredients
- 4 Pomfret Whole Fish, cleaned
- 3 tablespoons Meet Mirsang
- Ā½ cup Rava or Semolina
- 3 to 4 tablespoons Coconut Oil for Frying See Note 1
- Salt
To make Meet Mirsang
- 3 tablespoons Chili Powder Red (I recommend Kashmiri Red )
- Ā¾ tablespoon Cumin Roasted Powder
- Ā¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- Ā¾ teaspoon Salt
- 5 tablespoons Vinegar
Instructions
- If you don't have meet mirsang, mix together all the ingredients listed above for it.
- Rub meet mirsang marinade and salt all over the fish and set aside for 10 minutes. Making slits in the fish before marinating helps the masala penetrate inside so it's highly recommended.
- Take rava or semolina in a flat dish and dip each fish in it. Use your hands to sprinkle it on the fish, till it's crusted well on each side.
- Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the fish for eight to ten minutesĀ on both sides.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- If you aren't fond of coconut oil, feel free to use any other vegetable oil or ghee.
- Meet mirsang is a mangalorean masala or marinade that can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for months. I recommend always keeping a jar of Meet Mirsang in the fridge.
- When shallow frying, ensure the pan is really hot. The initial few seconds determine how crispy the fry turns out to be. If the pan isn't hot enough, the rava will cook and become soggy instead of frying.Ā
Razena Schroeder says
I remember the first time I ate fish cooked in this way and it was absolutely new but delicious. Now I know how to achieve it myself. Thanks for sharing.
Razena Schroeder says
I remember the first time I ate fish cooked in this way and it was absolutely new but delicious.
Razena Schroeder says
I remember the first time I ate fish cooked in this way and it was absolutely new but delicious.
Sreelatha @ Framed Recipes says
Lovely dish Richa. And Meet Mirsang literally means salt and chillies. :). That is a common term in my household too. š - Sreelatha
Richa Gupta says
Thanks Dini, I wasn't big on fish when I was a kid, but I love it now!
Dini Kodippili says
I love Profret fry and used to eat it all the time when I was young! This brought back memories... but your version is so much more flavorful!
Richa Gupta says
You have to try it Jennifer, but please adjust the chili powder if you don't like your food very spicy.
Richa Gupta says
It's an amazing combination of spices, and you can't go wrong with it Gloria
Richa Gupta says
Oh Dol, I feel you! I love seafood in general and Pomfret is really one of my favorites!
Jennifer Tremblay Fleischauer says
I always have such bad experiences cooking fish at home but this may be just the recipe I need to give it another go. I'm definitely going to be making some Meet Mirsang.
Gloria @Homemade & Yummy says
Love the sounds of all those spices in this great recipe. Not your average fish fry that's for sure.
Dolphia Nandi-Arnstein says
If I miss something about India - is the fresh pomfret fish. Ma makes masala pomfret whenever I visit her and we eat 5-6 of them in one meal. Love your take on it - but sadly we don't get good pomfrets here. I tried once from Chinese store - it was as bad as hell! Bad rotten, yuck!!
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says
this looks wonderful. i like fish and seafood in general but hardly ever make it at home.
Richa Gupta says
Of course you can Ponnu. Any fish will work with this recipe.
Ponnu's Kitchen says
hi!! can we use any other fish in this recipe like seer fish?