Mangalorean Dish Bangude Pulimunchi

Seafood have always been a important part in Mangalorean cuisine. And bangude pulimunchi is one such famous fish dish in Mangalore cuisine. Bangude ghassi is yet another famous recipe but is prepared with coconut where as pulimunchi is prepared without it.

Bangude pulimunchi as the name indicates is mackerel cooked in spicy sour gravy.

Mackerel is commonly known as bangude in Mangalore/Udupi region.Pulimunchi, means a dish prepared with chillies & tamarind in large quantity.Spice level of Mangalore bangude pulimunchi recipe can be varied as personal taste

Bangude Puli Munchi

Prep time: 15 mins (does not incl time taken to clean fish) | Cook time: 10 mins 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg mackerels/bangda/ bangude (about 4-5 medium sized ones)
• salt to taste
• 1 sprig curry leaves for seasoning
• 2 teaspoons oil for seasoning

For the masala:

• 10 long dry red chillies (deseeded if you wish) - Use Byadge chillies for best results
• 1-1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 4-5 peppercorns
• 1/8th teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 small green chilli (deseeded if you wish)
• 1 inch ginger
• 3 flakes of garlic
• two marble sized balls of tamarind or 2 teaspoons of tamarind paste
• 1 small-medium onion

Method:

1. Clean the mackerels if not done already. Wash with water, salt and turmeric, refresh in a couple of changes of water and keep on a colander to drain off excess water. Depending on the size of the fish you can either leave them whole or cut them into 2-3 pieces.

2. Grind all the ingredients mentioned under 'For the masala' to a fine paste. Transfer the masala into a wide based pan/kadhai, rinse the mixer grinder jar with some water (about 1/4 cup) and add this water also to the masala. Let the gravy be of medium thickness, so add another 1/4 cup of water or lesser to adjust the consistency.

3. Bring the gravy to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the fish pieces and salt to taste and lightly shake the pan (swirl it around) so that all the pieces are covered with the gravy. Cover the pan and let the fish cook for a couple of minutes. Remove from heat.

4. In a smaller pan meant for seasoning, heat the oil and toss in the curry leaves. Let them sizzle for a few seconds before adding this tempering to the fish curry.

5. Serve hot with rice and a vegetable saute.