Chettinad Meen Kuzhambu in a Clay Pot (Tamil Nadu Fish Curry)
Meen kuzhambu (மீன் குழம்பு) is the tamarind fish curry of Tamil Nadu. In Chettinad homes it is cooked in a mann chatti, a wide clay pot, and eaten the next day when the gravy has soaked into the fish. Clay holds a slow, even simmer, which is what this curry needs.
- Serves 4
- Prep 20 minutes
- Cook 35 minutes
- Pot 2 L or 3 L manchatti
Ingredients
- 500 g firm fish cut into steaks (seer fish, pomfret or mackerel)
- 4 tablespoons gingelly (sesame) oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 2 sprigs curry leaves
- 15 shallots, peeled and halved
- 10 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
- Tamarind, a lemon-sized ball, soaked in 2 cups warm water and squeezed
- 2 teaspoons red chilli powder
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
Method
- Place the clay pot on a low flame and let it warm for a minute. Add the oil.
- Add the mustard seeds. When they splutter, add the fenugreek seeds and curry leaves.
- Add the shallots and garlic. Cook on a low to medium flame until the shallots are soft and golden.
- Add the tomatoes and cook until they break down.
- Lower the flame, add the chilli, coriander and turmeric powder, and stir for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the tamarind water and add salt. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until the raw smell goes and oil shows at the edges.
- Slide in the fish. Do not stir with a spoon. Hold the pot with a cloth and swirl it gently. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Switch off the flame and leave the curry in the pot for at least 2 hours before serving. It tastes best the next day.
Serve with hot rice, idli or dosa.
Clay pot notes
- Start on a low flame and stay at medium or below.
- Add warm tamarind water to the hot pot, not cold water.
- Rest the hot pot on a wooden board or a dry cloth, never on a wet or cold counter.
- Clay stays hot for a long time, so the curry keeps cooking after the flame is off.
This curry is made for the black clay cooking pot (manchatti). New to clay? Read the care and usage guide first.
