Fish pulusu recipe (chepala pulusu)

Fish pulusu is my mom’s special recipe for which everyone in our family & friends appreciate her a lot. This is not an authentic andhra fish pulusu recipe, but is a quick and easy version of making a yummy fish gravy using tamarind. We love grilled, tawa fried simple fish recipes at home since it an absolutely healthy way to consume. They are easy and quick to make as well.

This fish pulusu is the followed at my mum’s home for years. We haven’t looked back for any other recipe since the results are good. The recipe needs a basic garam masala that is not very strong to keep the flavors of fish dominant.

A paste made of poppy seeds / khus khus or coconut is used to make this simple gravy taste delicious. This Andhra pulusu tastes the best when consumed after 2 to 3 hours of cooking.

Preparation for fish pulusu

1. Marinate the fish with red chili powder, turmeric, salt and lemon juice. Set aside for 30 minutes. Soak tamarind in little hot water. When softened, extract the juice and filter it. Set this aside. Fry whole spices in hot oil until aromatic. Add curry leaves, onions and chilies. Fry until onions golden.

2. While the onions fry, make a fine paste of roasted poppy seeds or coconut with little water. Set aside.

Making fish pulusu

3. Add ginger garlic paste to the onions and fry until the raw smell goes off. Place the fish pieces and fry for 3 minutes on each side.

4. Pour the tamarind juice over the fish and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

5. Add garam masala, salt and then add little water. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Add poppy seeds paste to the boiling water. Stir gently and cook till the pulusu begins to bubble up. Add coriander leaves and cover. Switch off the stove.

Serve andhra style fish pulusu with rice.

For more Fish recipes
Fish curry
Easy fish fry
Fish vepudu
Dum style fish biryani

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Recipe card

Fish pulusu (chepala pulusu)

Andhra style fish pulusu is a delicious, spicy and slightly tangy gravy. It can be served with rice or chapati.

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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time35 minutes

Servings4

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

• ▢ 1 kg fish cut to pieces (check the pics for the size)
• ▢ 1 cup onions finely chopped
• ▢ 2 to 3 green chilies slit
• ▢ 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• ▢ 4 to 5 tbsp oil
• ▢ 2 tbsp Poppy seeds slightly roasted or ½ cup of grated coconut
• ▢ 2 tsp garam masala adjust slightly to suit your taste
• ▢ ½ to 1 tsp red chili powder (use as needed, it can be very hot)
• ▢ 8 to 10 stalks coriander leaves with stems
• ▢ 2 tbsps Tamarind or as needed
• ▢ 1 sprig curry leaves

Whole spices (optional except cumin)

• ▢ 1 Bay leaf
• ▢ 4 cloves
• ▢ 1 inch cinnamon or dalchini
• ▢ ½ tsp cumin or jeera
• ▢ 1 green cardamom or elaichi

Marination

• ▢ 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• ▢ Salt as needed
• ▢ 1/8 tsp turmeric
• ▢ ½ tsp red chili powder

Instructions

Preparation for fish pulusu

• ▢
  Wash the fish pieces thoroughly under running water to remove odor.
• ▢
  Drain the water thoroughly.
• ▢
  Marinate the pieces with the marination ingredients and set aside for 30 mins.
• ▢
  Soak tamarind in hot water and filter to extract the clean juice.
• ▢
  If you chose to use poppy seeds: Dry roast and grind poppy seeds to a fine paste. First powder the seeds finely, then add water and make a paste else your poppy seeds will remain coarse and you will get it in the mouth while you eat.
• ▢
  If you choose to use grated coconut, grind coconut with ¼ cup of water and extract the milk. Discard the pulp. Take care not to add too much water while grinding.

Making fish pulusu

• ▢
  Heat a heavy bottomed wide pan with oil, add whole spices once you get an aroma, and add curry leaves and sauté.
• ▢
  Add onions and green chilies, fry till they turn golden.
• ▢
  Add ginger garlic paste, sauté for a min.
• ▢
  Place the pieces and fry on a medium high for 3 mins. Flip to the other side carefully and fry for another 3 mins.
• ▢
  Pour tamarind juice all over the pieces. Cover and simmer for 2 to 3 mins.
• ▢
  Add garam masala powder. Adjust the salt and chili powder, if needed. Pour water just enough to partially cover the pieces. Cover and simmer for just 4 to 5 mins on a medium flame.
• ▢
  Add the coconut or poppy seeds paste and tilt the pan slightly to one side and get over the pulusu on to the pieces. Mix the pulusu by leaving the pieces intact. Let it begin to bubble. Cook for few more mins or till it is cooked. Add coriander leaves too. Over cooking can break the pieces. Taste the pulusu to check spicy, tangy and salt. Any adjustments can be done now.
• ▢
  Serve andhra fish pulusu with rice or roti.

Notes

Ensure that you use a wide pan, like a pressure pan. Do not crowd the pieces.
Do not stir or mix the curry too much while cooking. This will cause the pieces to break.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts

Fish pulusu (chepala pulusu)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 311 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 125mg42%

Sodium 147mg6%

Potassium 891mg25%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 52g104%

Vitamin A 120IU2%

Vitamin C 14.7mg18%

Calcium 103mg10%

Iron 2.4mg13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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