Koonthal Curry&Kalamari fry

 














One more fish curry...my obsession continues...I dont know why...If I think of making something really succulent....something that I want to lick off my fingers,my hands invariably pick one Fish packet from my freezer!!This time it was the 'Koonthal'/Squid or rather the smaller Sepia,I should say...Koonthal has always been one of my hot favourites among the sea food for the sheer variety that one can make out of it....It goes well with so many Masala combinations.The one that I have here is in the cocum masala gravy.Here goes the recipe:
 













Ingredients:

Sepia-500g(It shrinks on cooking)
Green chilli-4
Ginger-25g
Garlic-25g
Tomato Puree-1 cup
Onion-2 large-chopped thin
Cocum juice-1/2 cup
Chilli powder-2 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Coriander Powder-1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds-1/2tsp
Curry leaves-2 sprigs
Refined oil-as required
Salt-as required

Method:

Clean the squid and make gashes on it.Dry roast chilli powder,turmeric powder,coriander powder,fenugreek seeds and a sprig of curry leaves for a couple of minutes.Heat oil in a wok.Saute onion,ginger,garlic,green chillies till they become soft.Now wait for a minute or two to cool the sauted ingredients(the powders too) and grind it into a coarse paste.Now add the tomato puree to the paste and whisk it for a minute.Now pour this mixture over the cleaned squid.Add salt as required.Leave it for 10 minutes.Now add the cocum juice and enough water for the required consistency and cook it over a medium flame for nearly 8-10 minutes or till the squids are cooked properly.Finally add a sprig of curry leaves and mix well.(You may add a pinch of sugar,for a good twist).Now remove from the stove and serve it hot with chappathi/rice/tapioca.(This squid curry again tastes better the next day).

 




















Kalamari/Deep fried squid

















Kalamari is nothing but a deep fried squid which is quite popular in Greek cuisine.I have fried the Kalamaris in my Indian 'ishtyle'!! The difference is all about turmeric and chilli powder.Greeks add pepper,we add red chilly powder.Usually squid is chopped into small pieces,but I have fried the squid whole. Here is my recipe for it:

Ingredients:
Kalamari/Squid-250g
Red chilli powder-1 tsp
Pepper powder-1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder-a pinch
white flour-1/4 cup
Salt-as required
Oil-as required

Method:
Clean the Kalamari.Slit in the middle and flatten it out.Mix flour,chillipowder,pepper powder,turmeric powder and salt in a mixing bowl.Now coat the squids uniformly with this mixture.Heat oil in a wok.Deep fry the squids.Serve with some deep fried onions too...Goes well with rice.

Another tastier version of squid fry that I generally make at home is this:

Ingredients:
Squid/Sepia - 500g-cut into small pieces
Onion - 2 -large-chopped thin
Ginger-Garlic paste -1 tbsp
Green chilli-4(chopped)
Red chilly powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds(Jeerakam) - 1/2 tsp
Tomato - 1 -small
Grated coconut/Copra - 1/4 cup
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Oil- as required
Salt - As reqd

Method
Marinate the cleaned pieces of squid with chilly powder,turmeric and salt.Heat oil in a small wok.Saute curry leaves, cumin seeds, green chillies and onions in the same order till onions become golden brown.Now add the ginger garlic paste and saute it for couple of minutes.Now add the remaining chillipowder,turmeric,and coriander powder.Saute for a couple of minutes till u get that fine aroma.Now add tomato and salt as required.Finally add grated coconut(copra tastes better) and cook till squids are properly cooked.It is a wonderful side dish with rice.