Goan Recheado Stuffed Fish Fry

GOAN RECHEAODO STUFFED FISH FRY

Goa- land of Seafood, Beaches, Temples, Churches and Feni!! Goa is such a beautiful place with rich portugal culture and tropical weather. It's mouth watering seafood dishes will send you straight to heaven :) I have lots of memories associated with this land and it's just so heartwarming. I associate it with fish, kokum(sol) kadi, fun picnics with friends along with family trips to the ancestral deity.

Coming to today's recipe, Recheado is a famous chilli, vinegar based paste that Goan's use, to make fish curry and fish fry. It is amazingly tasty and will instantly transport you to the ga ga land Goa :) Use of whole garam masala and vinegar makes it unique and very tasty. Another advantage I find with this is, I can make this paste and freeze it for few weeks. Once in a while, that craving to have a whole stuffed fish fry hits you so bad that you cannot think of anything else, you have no option but to make it hehe.
One can use Mackerel, Shrimp, King fish, Pomfret or any white flesh fish.

Dedicating this post of stuffed fish fry to my loving aunt Nima (Aatya), who is the reason why I love this dish so much! 

Ingredients:

• 8 butterfish (looks like pomfret), 1 whole Spanish mackerel (use any kind of fish like mackerel, pomfret, king fish or shrimp)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• salt as per taste

Recheado masala(paste):

• 10-12 red dry chillies (I use byadgi chillies)
• 4 peppercorns
• 6 cloves
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp tamarind pulp
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 inch ginger 
• 8 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• salt to taste

for frying

• 4 tbsp rice flour or whole wheat flour
• oil for shallow frying

Preparation:

• Take whole cleaned fish and make sharp cuts at 45-degree angle on both sides of the fish. (shown in pics). Marinate with salt and turmeric for some time. 
• Soak the recheado masala ingredients in vinegar for 30 minutes (or more) and grind to a smooth paste. Don't add too much water. 
• Now slather the recheado paste on the fish, stuff the paste properly into the cuts and let it marinate for 30 minutes.
• Heat oil in a griddle/tava. Take the marinated fish and roll it into the flour, dust it and place gently on the frying tava. It should make a sizzling sound. Drizzle more oil on top of the fish and let it cook for 3-4 minutes on med heat. 
• Turn over and cook till done. It will blacken a little bit but don't worry. It has to cook from inside too. After about 3 minutes your fish should be done. 
• Serve it on a platter of salad or with fish curry, rice and sol kadi :)

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

 Health Benefits:
Fish is usually rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Mackerel is high in omega-3 fatty acids and been proven to be very effective in lowering triglyceride levels. They help with blood circulation and lower blood pressure by allowing blood vessels to expand and be more elastic. Mackerel, have been known to reduce the pain, stiffness and swollen joints associated with arthritis. Several studies have found a correlation between fish oil and a reduced risk of depression, suicide, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Eating oil-rich fish like pomfrets regularly can help to keep the eyes bright and healthy. Not only does omega-3 help to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the UV damage.