The beauty of fine Indian dining is that it can take you on a voyage of discovery through new flavours and combinations. By offering exquisitely prepared Indian cuisine, fine Indian restaurants can show the discerning diner a plethora of authentic and delicious dishes.
Whereas most Indian restaurants confine themselves to a standard range of dishes, such as chicken tikka masala, lamb roganjosh and vegetable biryani, fine Indian restaurants offer a menu packed with new and exciting options selected from India’s hugely varied regions.
Take fish dishes, for example. Fish is a very popular option in India, especially in coastal regions or river cities. Exploring Indian fish dishes can take you on an exciting culinary journey. Let’s look at some examples.
Vanjaramvepudu
This marinated fish dish from Andhra Pradesh is made from vanjaram, a type of white fish called seer fish in English. The fish is marinated in a thick orange sauce made from ginger, garlic, lemon, chillies, cumin and coriander.
After a few hours marinating, the fish is laid in a hot pan with its spicy crust and fried until brown, then served with lemon wedges and a fresh onion salad.
Chepapulusu
If you like sour flavours, you will love this tasty fish curry. Served in an aromatic gravy flavoured with tamarind, chepapulusu is a mouth-watering option.
To make chepapulusu, you need oily fish such as mackerel, catfish or tilapia. A thick curry paste is made from mustard seeds, curry leaves, onions, ginger and garlic. This is sizzled in a pan then turmeric, coriander, chillies and tamarind are added with water to form a tasty sauce. The fish fillets are simply slipped into this sauce and cooked until tender.
Royallumuddakura
Is there anything more enticing than a bowl of fresh prawns? Combined with fluffy white rice, luxurious coconut milk and warm curry spices, royallumuddakura is an irresistible way to serve prawns.
The prawns are marinated in a dish of salt, turmeric and chilli powder before cooking. A curry paste of garlic, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and coconut is prepared with a little water. The prawns are simmered in hot water until cooked then thrown into a pan with onions, curry leaves and the curry paste. The thick amber sauce clings to the prawns, coating each one in the tasty sauce.
Maacherjhol
This memorable dish from the east of India presents fresh water fish steaks in a tasty spicy sauce. The fish is seasoned with turmeric and salt then sautéed to brown the edges.
Next, onion seeds, cumin, ginger, turmeric and chillies are heated in oil until they crackle and pop, then onion and bay leaves are added. When the spices and onions form a thick sauce, the fish is returned to the pan to finish cooking. The dish is served with chapattis or steamed rice.
Have you tried fish, Indian-style? For a healthy and unusual dining option, why not choose a fish course on your next trip to a fine Indian restaurant?