Lepu Losun Miri

Lepu Losun Miri  -  Geeta Shenoy

500gms or 4-5 large ones Tongue Fish(also called as 'Lep' in Marathi & 'Nang' in Tulu)

For the Masala:
6-7 long red chillies
6-7 peppercorns
1/4 tsp haldi
1/2 tsp jeera
1 small ball tamarind or 1 tsp tamarind

Tempering
8 cloves garlic with skin, lightly crushed
1 large onion sliced
oil
salt to taste.

Method.

Remove the skin, scales n the frilly edge of the fish, clean n rinse and allow to drain. If using small lepo leave them whole.
Grind the ingredients for the masala to a paste.
Heat a little oil in a wide vessel n fry the garlic n the scliced onion till golden ( not too brown )
Add the ground masala n fry for a minute or two on a slow flame.Add sufficient water (water used to clean out the mixie jar to be used) to make a medium thin gravy.
Add salt to taste.
Bring gravy to boil, then gently add the fish n simmer for a minute. Switch off flame. Do not overcook the fish. Remember fish continues to cook even after the flame is switched off.
Serve hot with rice.