Amritsari Machli: Succulent Fish Fry Recipe From The Streets Of Amritsar

Amritsari fish is an absolute favourite dish from Punjab, which is loved throughout India. It is a famous dish and can be found in any local street, from food stalls to five-star restaurants. This crispy, crunchy starter snack is served on several occasions, such as birthday bashes, game nights etc. This non-vegetarian fish snack recipe is relatively easy and can be prepared at home with limited ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 500 grams fish fillets (cut into pieces)
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp coriander powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper powder
  • Pinch of asafoetida
  • 2 tbsp ginger- garlic paste
  • 1 tsp green chilli paste
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp chickpea flour
  • 1 tbsp rice flour
  • 3 tbsp thick curd
  • ½ tsp dried fenugreek leaves
  • 1 tbsp mustard oil
  • 1 tsp Carom Seeds (ajwain)
  • Pinch of red food colour (optional)
  • Oil for deep frying

How To Make Amritsari Fish Fry?

  1. To begin with, these crispy fish fry, wash and clean the fish pieces. First, marinate well with salt, turmeric, and lemon juice.
  2. After the first marination, wash them under the running water once and strain the excess water from the bowl. Pat dry the fish pieces.
  3. Now take a separate big bowl, mix the marination ingredients, add chickpea flour, rice flour, red chilli, turmeric, black pepper, coriander powder, salt, hing and mix all the dry ingredients well.
  4. Add thick curd, carom seeds, green chilli, ginger-garlic paste, a pinch of red food colour, mustard oil, Kasuri methi, and a few drops of lemon juice.
  5. Give a good mix to the mixture, avoid the lumps, combine well and then add fish pieces to it.
  6. Gently mix the pieces, cover with cling film and keep this for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator.
  7. While the fish is marinating, heat the oil in the Kadai for deep frying.
  8. Once the oil is hot enough, slip the fish pieces one by one and carefully into the hot oil.
  9. Deep fry them for 8-9 minutes, or until it's fried well from both sides.
  10. Take them out on absorbent kitchen paper.

Your Amritsari fish fry is ready; serve it hot with onions and spicy green chutney.