Meen Pollichathu (Fish Baked in Banana Leaf Wrap)

Ingredients
(serves 8)

1. fish fillets (Tilapia or Salmon) - 2 lbs ( Cut in to pieces which are medium-thick and about 5 inches long)
2. chili powder (mild) - 3 tsp
3. turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
4. salt - to taste
5. shallots - 2 lbs
6. ginger - 2 inches
7. green chili - 2
8. curry leaves - 2 stems
9. banana leaves (fresh or frozen as available in Asian stores) - as needed

Steps

Marinate fish in chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt and keep it for 1 hour and then pan-fry.

Saute onion, ginger, green chili and curry leaves for about 10 minutes and keep it aside.

Wrap one or two pieces of fried fish in banana leaf with a tsp of sauteed onion mix. Wrap that again in aluminum foil and bake it for about 15 minutes in 350F.

Remove the aluminum foil and serve the fish warm in banana leaf. This will be an excellent appetizer or a side-dish for a typical Kerala meal with rice.