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    Fish Molee - Recipe for Kerala Style Fish Stew

    Yum

    Updated on January 29, 2021 By Shalini 41 Comments - This post contains affiliate links which means if you use them to make a purchase, I'll earn enough money to maybe buy me a lil' something - an ingredient, probably.

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    Fish Molee or Fish Moolie is a creamy fish curry and is one of the most sort after seafood dishes in Kerala, South India. It is probably influenced by Portuguese or travelers from Malaya for it is equally popular in Malaysia and Singapore as well.

    Fish Molee Stew Moolie

    My earliest memory of seafood stem from my home in Kerala. Lunch was always served with fried fish or fish curry. And there were days when we have Fish molee for breakfast as it goes well with Appam and Idiappam - the popular breakfasts in Kerala. It is a different story altogether, that my husband had never tasted this dish before in his life. Well, I have no idea why and all I had to say to him was that he had missed something really exceptional all this while.

    fish-molee

    Fish Molee is a curry wherein the fish pieces are simmered in a smooth, coconut milk gravy. Fish Molee preparation contains a delicate blend of spices and is light and not too spicy.

    https://somethingiscooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/VID_22780806_054053-1.mp4

    When I first tried to prepare this dish, that was some two years ago, it turned out to be an utter disaster! I was so heart-broken and crestfallen. I then, decided to ping a dear friend on Whatsapp because I was sure she would be able to help me out. So, it was Annie who suggested this recipe and I follow it to the T, every time I want to prepare some. She got the recipe from her mother-in-law and it is a typical Kottayam style Fish Molee recipe.

    fish-molee4

    I miss those days in college when we had absolute fun. She was a dear friend and my roomie. We aren't in touch for a while. May be since life and its hustling and bustling has come in between us. But I fondly remember her and I am dedicating this post to her.

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    Fish Molee – Recipe for Kerala Style Fish Stew


    ★★★★

    3.3 from 3 reviews

    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Fish Molee features pieces of fish cooked in spices and simmered in a smooth, coconut milk gravy. Serve hot with Rice, Appams or Idiappams.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • Fish fillets- 300gms
    • Oil -2 tbsp
    • Mustard 1 tsp
    • Onions thinly sliced -2
    • Ginger thinly sliced -1 tbsp
    • Garlic thinly sliced -8 pods
    • Green chillies slit -3
    • Cloves -5
    • Cinnamon -2
    • Cardamon -3
    • Curry leaves -a sprig
    • Turmeric powder -½ tsp
    • Peppercorns -3
    • Pepper powder -1 tbsp
    • Thin coconut milk- 2 cups
    • Salt- 1 tsp
    • Thick coconut milk- ½ cup
    • Tomatoes- 1 sliced round

    Instructions

    1. Heat oil in a wide pan.
    2. Add mustard. When it splutters, add curry leaves followed by cloves, cinnamon and cardamon. Saute and add onions, ginger, garlic, green chillies, turmeric powder, peppercorns and pepper powder. Saute for a couple of minutes or until the onion is slightly browned.
    3. Add thin coconut milk and salt. Mix well.
    4. When it starts to boil, add fish.
    5. Cover and simmer for ten mins.
    6. Add the tomatoes now. Do not mix. Give the pan a swirl though. Let it cook for another couple of minutes more.
    7. Add thick coconut milk and cook for a minute. Serve hot.
    • Prep Time: 0 hours
    • Cook Time: 0 hours

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 3

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    [tweetthis]Fish Molee - Creamy fish curry with a blend of spices and coconut milk[/tweetthis]

    Written for Day 2 of #NaBloPoMo by BlogHer

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    About Shalini

    Namaste! I'm Shalini, the blogger behind Something's Cooking(since 2014). I share only our best, family approved recipes with YOU because I've tried and tested every recipe published on this blog. You can find easy Keto, low-carb recipes, and authentic Indian recipes including South Indian (Kerala) foods. You can rest assured that Indian cooking will be made easy. Thanks for stopping by! I'm so happy you're here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Roma Gupta Sinha says

      November 03, 2016 at 8:27 pm

      I am already drooling dear, you weaved the delicacy and it's recipe so well. Shall satiate my taste buds with it at the earliest

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 10:43 pm

        Oh, thanks Roma. Let me know when you try 🙂

        Reply
    2. Amrita Basu (Misra) says

      November 03, 2016 at 12:41 am

      This is an absolutely delicious recipe. It's a good thing that your hubby gers to taste this now. Will try this out and let you know

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 10:52 pm

        Yes, please. I'm sure you'll love it too. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Parul Thakur says

      November 02, 2016 at 10:18 pm

      I am very determined to make fish curries since I have been back from home. This one sounds just as yummy and possible to make with your neat recipe.
      My two questions - tell me the fish variety that you use and which brand of coconut milk should I use. 🙂

      And yes, keep sharing recipes but simple one. I need to maintain the interest. 😀

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 10:59 pm

        You can use any variety of fish with flesh like Pomfrets, King fish or Pearl spot. I couldn't get any here. So, I made with Rohu.
        I used KLF coconut milk powder. I also love the one by Maggi.
        I will post simple recipes, Parul. Keep visiting 🙂

        Reply
    4. Corinne Rodrigues says

      November 02, 2016 at 9:31 pm

      Mmmmm...only problem is that I must have appams with this and can't imagine making them.
      Fantastic pictures and such a well laid out recipe, Shalini.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 11:00 pm

        Oh, but why. Appams are easier to make than Dosa - at least for me.
        I hope we meet someday and I will get you appams and fish stew. Thanks for dropping by, Corinne. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Anindya Sundar Basu says

      November 02, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      When food gets spruced up with memories and friendships it tastes better . I will try this recipe for sure.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 11:03 pm

        Yes they do. Thanks for dropping by, Anindya. I hope you try it soon 🙂

        Reply
    6. Sagar Pillai says

      November 02, 2016 at 7:49 pm

      Looks Appetising !!!

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 11:03 pm

        Thanks, Sagar 🙂

        Reply
    7. Preethi says

      November 02, 2016 at 7:09 pm

      I made this last week. So your pictures made me long for it again. I used a Youtube recipe which asked me to fry the fish. Your recipe seems the healthier option. Will try this way soon.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 11:04 pm

        Yup. There is Fried Fish Molly as well. I love this version though. Thanks, Preethi for dropping by 🙂

        Reply
    8. BIkram Mann says

      November 02, 2016 at 6:26 pm

      Reply
    9. Menaka Bharathi says

      November 02, 2016 at 6:06 pm

      very tempting indeed! fish is always my favorite, love the way you have presented it. I am having this copied to my cookbook.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 10:40 pm

        Thanks, Menaka. I hope you try it out soon. Let me know when you do. 🙂

        Reply
    10. SHILPA GARG says

      November 02, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      My husband would LOVE this dish and would love to have it with Appams. Will share this recipe with him.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 10:40 pm

        Yes. Appam and Fish Molly is a perfect combo! You must try.

        Reply
    11. Mayuri Nidigallu says

      November 02, 2016 at 3:50 pm

      Glad your Hubby had a taste of it now! I bet he must be regretting all those years he missed out on!
      I don't cook fish much, but i plan to surprise my Husband with this dish soon. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 03, 2016 at 10:39 pm

        It is easy and delicious. I really hope you and your husband love it. Thanks, Mayuri 🙂

        Reply
    12. Vinodini says

      November 02, 2016 at 2:21 pm

      This looks so tempting! I would love to eat this mixed with some steaming hot rice with my bare hand. I've not cooked fish a lot but I definitely enjoy eating it. I'm going to try this for sure.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 3:25 pm

        That's my favorite combination as well. I hope you try it out soon. It is easy to prepare.

        Reply
    13. Shantala says

      November 02, 2016 at 8:07 am

      This does look yummy-licious. Bookmarked. Thank you so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 1:49 pm

        Thanks, Shantala. I am glad you'd try it out soon 🙂

        Reply
    14. Reyna says

      November 02, 2016 at 6:13 am

      This looks so good!! Great post!!

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 1:54 pm

        Thanks for dropping by, Reyna 🙂

        Reply
    15. Eli says

      November 02, 2016 at 1:55 am

      That looks delicious. Love the combination of coconut milk and fish. YUM:-)

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 1:54 pm

        I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for dropping by, Eli 🙂

        Reply
    16. Bellybytes says

      November 02, 2016 at 1:03 am

      Trying to post . I agree with you this curry is to die for. I make a similar curry with prawn.

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 2:00 pm

        Yup, I try with chicken, potatoes and prawn too. I guess everything goes well with coconut milk curry.

        Reply
    17. Roshan says

      November 02, 2016 at 12:24 am

      This is gorgeous dish. Been aong time since I had it myself. I am surprised though how did the hubby manage to not have it for his entire life...

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 2:01 pm

        Gee... It is not popular in Trivandrum, I guess. Hence, he never had it before. My roots are from Kottayam and I've had it my whole life 🙂

        Reply
    18. suman kher says

      November 02, 2016 at 12:24 am

      Wow! Your post for day 2 is already up! 🙂 I got to know about all these dishes only once I got married to a Mallu! (I am a Punjabi) And I figured that I loved the south Indian flavours in chicken and fish. Our favourite Kerala joint now is called the Lalit in Fort in Mumbai. Awesome Kerala food. Btw, I am not a foodie and definitely don't read food blogs. Somehow your blog happened to be the first one I read for the challenge and I love the way you've presented the recipes. All the best for the rest of the days. Hope to keep coming back! 🙂

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 2:03 pm

        Whoa! I'm glad that you enjoy Kerala food. And thanks for your kind words. I hope I'd see you often. 🙂

        Reply
    19. Karen says

      November 02, 2016 at 12:17 am

      Oh that looks so delicious!!!

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 2:03 pm

        Thanks, Karen 🙂

        Reply
    20. My Era says

      November 02, 2016 at 12:14 am

      Yum! With so many wonderful aromatics this is the fish curry that demands a try. The next time I cook fish, this is getting made <3

      Reply
      • Shalini says

        November 02, 2016 at 2:25 pm

        You definitely should! Thanks for dropping by, ME! 🙂

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Bengali Fish Curry | Mustard Fish Curry | Maccher Jhol says:
      January 7, 2017 at 4:05 pm

      […] Try and let me know? You can also check out other fish curry recipes like Kerala Mackeral Fish Curry and Fish Molee […]

      Reply
    2. My Favorite Recipes of 2016 #Roundup says:
      December 29, 2016 at 12:50 am

      […] Fish Molee […]

      Reply

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