Mackerel Fish Fry or Ayala Fry is prepared by marinating the fish pieces with spices and then shallow frying them. Quick and easy to prepare, the spice mix enhances its flavor.
Mackerel is a beautiful fish. It's my favorite too. And I guess many fish lovers would share the same sentiment. It is a firm-fleshed flavorful fish that is high in nutrients and low in fat.
And Mackerel Fish Fry? Oh, Gosh! Don't get me started.
Mackerel is known as Ayala in Malayalam and Bangda in Hindi.
This fish is available in abundance across the coastal belts of the Arabian sea - especially Kerala, Mumbai, and Goa.
Ha! That reminds me of the popular Mollywood song 'Ayala porichathundu karimeen varuthathundu', where the heroine sings and asks her husband to have lunch with her, for she has prepared Mackerel Fish Fry and Fried Pearl Spots. Oh yeah!
I did hum this song when I made lunch today for it has been so long since we've had the luxury of having this fish. 😛
Mackerel Fish Fry is prepared by marinating the fish pieces with spices and then shallow frying them. Quick and easy to prepare, the spice mix enhances its flavor.
Cooking with Mackerel is easy peasy. Fry it or make a curry with it, it tastes equally good. You should check out the beautiful Kerala Style Mackerel Fish Curry and other fish recipes as well.
Recipe for Kerala Style Mackerel Fish Fry
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Mackerel Fish Fry
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Description
Mackerel Fish Fry is a popular side-dish for lunch in most of the Kerala households.
Ingredients
- 5 black peppercorns
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- ½ tsp turmeric
- salt to taste
- 1 lemon
- 3cm piece ginger, crushed
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 whole mackerel
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Wash and clean the fish. Make gashes so that when it is marinated, the spices would get into the flesh.
- Crush the pepper, cumin, and coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle and place it into a bowl. You may also grind in a blender.
- Crush the ginger and garlic and add to the bowl as well.
- Mix in the chili and turmeric powder, salt, and juice from a lemon to make a paste.
- Marinate the fish with this paste/marinade and set aside for about half an hour.
- Shallow fry the fish in a frying pan on medium-low heat for about 4-5 mins on each side.
- Serve with onion slices and lemon wedges.
Notes
You can use whole fishes or fillets.
Make gashes/slits on both sides of the fish, else there will be a bit of difficulty getting the masala paste adhering to the shiny skin.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Fish, Kerala, Sea Food
- Cuisine: Kerala/ South Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
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Love love.
Ruchi Verma says
I'm big fish lover !!! need to give it a try 🙂
Shalini says
Thanks, Ruchi.
You should definitely try.
Cattie says
I Love Fried Fish. We also use the same spices.
But Mackerel is quite a bony fish, so we avoid it. We prefer pomfrets
Menaka Bharathi says
You make me crave for fish Shalz. Here in Chhattisgarh we do not have much options especially no sea food. I miss all those great fish and crabs we used to have back home.
Awkward Earthling says
I miss amma's ayala fry 🙂
One of my fav :))
And I tried once to cook; but did not get that homely taste .. 😀
Pratikshya Mishra says
Looks yummy... My mom is reading this right now.. 😀 I urged her to !! 😀
Shalini says
Yay. Thanks, Pratikshya 🙂 I hope you get to eat too soon!
Parul Thakur says
How yum that looks, Shalini. Perfectly fried and simple to make 🙂 Let me give it a try.
Shalini says
Thanks, Parul. You definitely should! 🙂
Nabanita Dhar says
I will definitely try this because I love fish. Shouldn't have seen this now during Lunch time! Sigh!
Shalini says
Hee 😀 Thanks for dropping by, Naba. I hope you try this one soon!
Rajlakshmi says
I love it... I totally love it... Let me see if we find this variety here. I am very bad with recognizing fishes... The only one I prepare and eat it is Salmon. Will try this.
Shalini says
Thanks, Raj. I hope you try this one soon!
Alice Gerard says
Oh, that looks completely delicious. Thank you for the recipe. I may try it one of these days.
Shalini says
Thanks much, Alice 🙂 Welcome to my space!
Healthwealthbridge by Dr.Amrita Basu says
This is a delicious recipe.Loved how quick it is.Pomfret is another fish that tastes yummy when prepared this way.
Shalini says
Definitely! Thanks, Amrita 🙂