Bombil Samossa / Stuffed Bombay Duck #FishFriday

This is my Mummy's special recipe, she use to make this very often for us in different spices and filling. I, once made 40 of these for my friends who came from Canada and served these with Handbreads, they were a hit and these got over in a jiffy.

This fish has many names, we Mumbaikar's call it Bombil, some call it bummalo, the British and others who came to India call it Bombay Duck. There are many other stories found on the net regarding the name of the fish, which is true I, do not know, but,  Bombil / Bombay Duck  is a marine lizard fish found on the coastline of Mumbai and Maharashtra.  This is favorite fish of us Mumbaikar's.  Bombils in any form are enjoyed here, dried or fresh we love it.

Our Host Wendy for Fish Friday Foodies asked us to get creative and share some stuffed fish recipes.  I, decided to make my Mummy's favorite recipe, its a little time consuming but worth the effort.


Ingredients

6 - 8 Medium size Fresh Bombils

For the Red Masala Paste

5- 6 Kashmiri Red Chillies
4 Cloves Garlic
1 Teaspoon Level Cumin Seeds
1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric powder
2 Tablespoons Vinegar

Salt to taste

For the Stuffing

2 Medium Onions - finely chopped
1 Green Chilly - Finely chopped
2 Cloves Garlic - Finely chopped
2 Tablespoons Coriander Leaves - chopped
A pinch of All Spice Powder - optional

Salt to Taste

1 Tablespoon Oils

For  Coating 

1/2 Cup Rice Flour 

2 Tablespoons Cup  Fine Semolina  / Rawa

Oil as required for frying

Method

Soak  the red chillies in warm water for an hour at least. 

Wash and clean the bombil, cut the head, lightly scrape it with a back if the knife to remove any dirt or scales on the body.  Then remove the side fins and trim the tail a little.

Now take the bombil on to a cutting board and slit it in the middle very gently, see that you do not cut it fully, then remove the center bone, keep aside like do it for the rest, apply salt and keep aside.

In the meantime grind the ingredients of the masala paste using only vinegar not water should be used.  

Now wash the bombil in fresh water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Apply the paste to the bombil and keep in the refrigerator.

In the meantime lets prepare the stuffing

In a pan heat oil add the onions and rest of the ingredients and saute  it till the onion a translucent, then add a tablespoon or more (according to your taste  ) and fry it till  all the moisture evaporates and the stuffing is dry.  Keep aside to cool. Add the coriander leaves and mix well.

When the stuffing cools, place a tablespoon or more in the center and fold it to make triangle samoosa.

Mix the rice flour and semolina well, gently press each bombil into this mix and coat it nicely on both sides, like wise coat all the bombils and keep aside.

Heat a pan with 2 tablespoons oil on medium low flame and fry the bombils till golden brown and crisp. 

 Enjoy these with  Handbreads,    I, assure you you will love them. 

Labels :  Seafood/Fish, Bombils, Stuffed Fish, Red Masala, Onions, Garlic, Fish Friday, East Indian, Mumbai

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Coconut Milk Spicy Prawn Pasta #FishFridayFoodie

This  Spicy Prawn Pasta, in coconut milk  is made with Indian spices and  has a delicious flavor - "A pasta  you will die for ".   It's so deliciously a ‘Prawn Lovers Delight’ that you  can't stop at a single helping.

The creaminess from coconut milk, the combo of spices with the tangyness  from the blended tomato , lends an awesome aroma gives a perfect taste and  flavor to the pasta. You will make this often as I, do it now.

Serves 2

Ingredients

200 Grams Cleaned Prawns 
250 Grams Rigatoni Pasta
1/4 Cup Oil
1 Medium Onion  - sliced
1 Tablespoon Ginger  Garlic paste
2 Medium Tomatoes - blended
1/4  Cup Water
1 Tablespoon Kacha Masala

1 Cup Water + 1 Cube  Fish Stock  - mix together
1/2 Cup Coconut Milk
A Sprig Curry Leaves

1/2 Cup Coloured Bell Pepper - sliced
Salt to taste

For the Prawns Marination

1 Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Method

Marinate  the prawns in  the mentioned spices. Keep it aside for 15  minutes.

Cook the rigatoni pasta as per the package directions.  Drain and rinse the cooked pasta in cold water. Keep aside.

Fry the marinated prawns in a tablespoon of  oil,  till it just changes it colour ( since these are going to be cooked again in the sauce , if overcooked will turn rubbery and hard).

With a slotted spoon drain out all the oil and keep the prawns aside. 

In a same pan add the remaining oil and sauté the onions till it turns just light golden. 

 Add the ginger  garlic paste and curry leaves .Saute it for a minute.

Add the Kacha Masala , coloured bell peppers and blended tomato  mix well on low heat.  Cook for  a minute  or two then add a 1/4 cup water.

 Cook till it reduces.

Pour in the fish stock and  the coconut milk, mix well. Let it simmer stirring in between for 2 to 3  minutes.

Add the fried prawns, give it a quick stir . Cover the pan with the lid and let the sauce simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Now check for salt and add more if needed.

Drop in the cooked  rigatoni pasta and mix well. 

After mixing if you want the pasta to be more saucy add a little  more coconut milk. I made it a little saucy.

See the red beauties on top . Serve  garnished with spring onions greens.  Enjoy... delicious and mind blowing!!

My Notes :

I have used yellow and red bell peppers.

Be careful while adding  salt, since  the fish stock cube  contains salt already.

Can use coconut cream too instead of coconut milk.

Use any type of pasta or noodles of your choice.

Sending this to Fish Friday Foodies, our Host of the month is Claire McEwen. Thank you Claire for hosting this event.

Labels :  Seafood/Fish, Prawns, Pasta & Noodles, Indian, Fish Friday, Rigatoni Pasta

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Italian Herbs Grilled Fish #FishFriday

This our host for Fish Friday Foodie is Wendy, choose the theme Girlled Fish / Seafood. 

This fish is light on spices yet has a fantastic aroma of herbs. This makes a healthy and delicious grilled fish, the use of oil is very minimal. This herb-roasted fish is easy, impressive and elegant for a party or quick weekend dinner. Marinate the fish it in advance and grill it just before your guest arrive.

Ingredients

300 Grams Fish Fillet - I used Seer Fish
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
1 Teaspoon Dried Rosemary
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
1 Tablespoon Mustard Paste
1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoon Oil

Method

Wash the fish and pat dry.

Mix all the given ingredients in a bowl well, rub it on the fish fillet and keep it aside to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to hour.

Heat a grill pan and grill the fish on each side for 4 to 5 minutes or till done. Enjoy this with  a bowl of salad or steamed rice and dal.

Labels : Fish, Seer Fish, Fish Friday, Italy, Herbs, Grilled, Continental Cuisine, Healthy

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Brinjal with Dried Baby Shrimps / Zavla Vanga #FishFriday

This is an East Indian dish that is a mostly prepared in Monsoons where in fresh fish is not easily available because of rains. Dry fish is stocked in East Indian homes in the month of February  or March wherein you get fresh dried fish.  This is a most easy quick and delicious dry / side dish.

Sending this to Fish Friday Foodies our Host choose the theme prepare a Fish dish with " Preserved Fish- Pickled, Canned, Dried".

Ingredients

2 Cups Zavla / Baby Shrimps
2 - 3 Baby  Brinjals - cut into pieces
2 Spring Onions - finely chopped - green and white separated
8 Cloves Garlic - minced
1 Inch Ginger - minced
3 Green Chillies - minced or according to taste
2 Tablespoons Coriander Leaves - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Heaped Bottle Masala - see note
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Tamarind Juice or 4 -5 Kokam
Salt to taste

Method

Clean the  dried baby shrimps well to remove any dirt, stones or any other dried fish.  Wash the zavla / dried shrimps well in a bowl of water taking only what come  on top ( at the bottom will be all the dirt that settles down)  and then soak it in clean water for 10 - 15 minutes (this step is very important - do not use the dry fish directly it to needs to be soaked in water first).  After 15 minutes place the shrimps in a fine mesh strainer to drain all the excess water.  Keep aside.

Slice the brinjals and keep in the water to avoid darkening.

In a vessel/ pan  heat oil add chopped onions, green chilly, ginger  and garlic, saute for 5 minutes.

Add the chopped spring onions and saute for 2 -3 minutes.
Now add the the soaked & drained shrimps /zavla and fry for 2 minutes then add the bottle masala and and chopped brinjals. 

Mix well just sprinkle water and cover with lid and cook over medium low flame till the shrimps and brinjals are done.  Now add the tamarind pulp and cook for few more minutes. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Serve hot with  Handbreads (Apas)

My Notes
If you do get bottle masala then use Kacha Masala and garam Masala powder to taste.

Can use any type of brinjals in this dish.. the quantity also varies according to you.

Labels:  Zavla, Dried Baby Shrimps, Brinjal, East Indian,  Bottle Masala, Side Dish, Fish, Fish Friday, Indian Fish Curry

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Couscous Shrimp Buddha Bowl #Fishfridayfoodies

Buddha bowl is combination of grains, greens etc., wherein you are getting a bowl full of complete proteins – all the essential nutrients that your body requires. A Buddha bowl signifies Buddha’s belly! Making a Buddha bowls is no fuss, versatile, easy, nutritious complete salad / meal.


I was surfing  the net about Buddha Bowls, it says that " a Buddha Bowl is always vegetarian, and usually vegan ". But we Fish Friday Foodies have decided to change this saying by creating our own version of Buddha Bowls. Our Host of the month Sue Lau choose this theme for our Fish Friday event " Buddha Bowls - Healthy one bowl meal with fish or seafood, vegetables, grains and other proteins, etc."

Thank you Sue Lau for choosing this wonderful theme, enjoyed making this one bowl  nutritious meal.

Serve 2

Ingredients

1 Cup Couscous

2 Cups Hot Water

1 Small Chicken cube

1 Large White Onion - sliced

1 Medium Bell Pepper - diced

1 Tablespoon Chopped Jalapeno

15 Pitted Whole Green Olives

1 Medium Cucumber - chopped

1 Large Tomato - chopped

1/4 Cup Coriander Leaves - chopped

A Few Mints leaves - chopped

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

200 Grams Cleaned Shrimps

For the Shrimp Marination

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper powder

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

For the Salad Dressing

1/2 Teaspoon Paprika powder

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon Water

1/4 Teaspoon Salt  or to taste

A pinch of Sugar - optional

Method

In a pan bring the water and chicken cube to boil. Stir it well so that cube dissolves.

In a big bowl, place the couscous, pour  in the hot water and immediately cover it with a cling film or a lid.   Keep it aside for at least 15  minutes or till you are ready to serve. 

In a pan heat a tablespoon of olive oil and saute the onions till translucent  add the bell pepper and saute it slightly soft.   Remove it from the pan and keep aside.  In the same pan add  the marinated shrimps and fry till cooked.  Keep these aside.

For the salad dressing - Place all ingredients in a bottle and shake it well.

For Assembling the Buddha Bowl

Fluff  the couscous  with a fork .

In a big  serving bowl, add the chopped cucumber, tomato, olive, jalapeno, mint, coriander leaves ( reserve few mint and coriander leaves  for garnishing), add the couscous and toss it well, now add in the shrimps and onions ( reserve few for garnishing) and again mix it.  

Garnish the Buddha Bowl with shrimps , onions and coriander and mint leaves.  Drizzle the dressing on top.  It's ready to serve.

Isn't this bright, colourful, nutritious and satisfying... now  just dig into dish and enjoy.

Labels : Fish, Salads, Buddha Bowl, One Dish Meal, Fish Friday, Healthy

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Lemony Chilly Shrimps Naan Sandwich#FishFridayFoodies

The theme for this month Fish Friday Foodies is "Share you favorite summer seafood or fish sandwich recipe". Our Host is Colleen. Thank you Colleen for hosting this event.

This is an open sandwich and easy to assemble, just keep all ingredients ready and refrigerated.  Since this can be easily assembled its great for a picnic or party,  as its filling  and delicious, this can make a great meal for a relaxed evening dinner.
Serves 2 or 3
Ingredients
For the Healthy Tandoori Mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons Hung Curd
2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime juice
1/2 Teaspoon Tandoori Masala

For the Cole Slaw

1 Onion - thinly sliced
1 Cup Cabbage - shredded
1/4 Cup Carrots - grated

As required Tandoori Mayonnaise 

For Lemony Chilly Shrimps

200 Grams Cleaned Large Shrimps
2 Tablespoons Coriander leaves - finely chopped
2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime juice
1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt or to taste
½ Teaspoon Roasted Cumin powder
1 Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
1 Tablespoon Oil

Other Ingredients 

Round Naan Bread
Lemon Juice
Chopped Coriander Leaves

Method
To prepare the 

Healthy Tandoori Mayonnaise

In a small bowl, whisk together hung curd, tandoori masala, mayonnaise, lime juice and olive oil. 

Cole Slaw 

In a large salad bowl, toss together onion, carrot and cabbage. 

Pour in the mayonnaise and toss again until cole slaw is evenly coated. Add a little chopped coriander and mix.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble. 

The Shrimps 

In small bowl, combine shrimp, coriander, lime juice, salt, cumin and chilly powder. Marinate for 15 minutes.
Heat the oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium flame. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until white to pink.
Cut naan in quarters and toast it on a tawa with a little butter. 

Assemble the sandwich

Top the naan with a spoonful of cole slaw, , place the shrimps on each quarter . Sprinkle a dash of lime juice and coriander.  serve it  immediately.  

I, toasted one naan then added the sandwich topping... both ways tasted great.

Labels : Naan, Seafood/Fish, Sandwiches, Fish Friday, Shrimps, Jams & Sauces, Healthy Tandoori Mayonnaise, Cole Slaw

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