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Meen Thala Curry – Kerala’s Kallu Shappu Special | Fish Head Curry – Toddy Shop Special

Say hello to meen thala curry /fish head curry and another toddy shop /kallu shappu copycat recipe you can make at home. Kallushap /Toddy shop is the most popular thing in Kerala. If anyone wondering what exactly is kallu shappu, the place where a mildly alcoholic beverage made from the sap of palm trees, is served along with food. The food served with toddy is very spicy and hot.

Yes, as you all know I love the nadan food, which is extremely hot and spicy, so full of flavors! So this is for all the hot and spicy food lovers out there ..

Well, when it comes to talking about Meen Thala Curry…oh.. that does bring back memories..! The very first time I heard about the meen thala curry that is served in toddy shop was from my hubby’s cousin. I still remember getting this meen thala curry for us from the kallushap/toody shop and needless to say it was out of this world! Even last time when I was on my vacation my cousin bought, chilli beef, meen thala curry,  from kallushap and we couldn’t stop eating. Last week during my rotuine call to India, my cousin’s said they all are planning to have meen thala curry/fish head curry for dinner. At the very mention of this, I couldn’t resist my cravings. So I googled and found the recipe from here. It came out perfectly! I did tweak it a bit, but I will sure make this again!
Try this delicious Kallu Shappu /Toddy Shop specials that sets the mouth watering and the taste-buds tingling. Serve with Kappa or with piping hot plain boiled rice and enjoy!

Meen Thala Curry Recipe- Kerala’s Kallu Shappu Special-Fish Head Curry – Toddy Shop Special

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking time : 45 mins
Serves : 4

Ingredients :

Fish head pieces (Nenmeen /King Fish,Vatta / Bluefin Trevally are best for this curry, or you can try
with Ayala /Mackerel  ) :
6 pieces

Kudampuli /Fish Tamarind:
3-5(soaked in warm water for 5 mins)
Water : 6 cups

Onions :
3 (finely, chopped)

Garlic :
8-10 cloves (crushed)

Ginger :
1″ piece (crushed)

Red Chilli Powder :
21/2 tbsp or to your spice level

Turmeric Powder :
1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder :
1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder :
2 tbsp

Semi Thick Coconut Milk :
1 cup
Mustard Seeds :
1 tsp 

Fenugreek Seeds :
1/2 tsp

Curry Leaves :
2 sprig

Coconut Oil :
2 tbsp 

How to make Meen Thala Curry – Fish Head Curry :

1. In a pan, boil 6 cups of water and add a pinch of turmeric powder, salt and kudampuli /Fish Tamarind. To this add the fish heads; cover and cook well.
2. In a cooking vessel (preferably in ‘Kalchatti’ an Earthen pot), add oil and splutter mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds.
3. Add crushed ginger, crushed garlic and chopped onions. Saute them well till the raw smell disappears and onions turn translucent and light brown color.
4. Now add red chilly powder, turmeric and coriander powders and combine it.(Note : Take care not burn the spices)
5. Now reduce the flame to medium- low, Add the coconut milk.When it starts boiling add the cooked fish heads along with kudam puli; check and adjust the salt; swirl the pan in such a way that all the fish head pieces totally immersed in the gravy. Close and cook it for 5-8 mins(approx) or till the fish head completely absorbs it.
6. Open the lid and add some curry leaves, drizzle little coconut oil and keep covered for 10-20 minutes, let the flavor set.
7. Delicious Meen thala curry /Fish head Curry is ready. Serve with steamed rice, Kappa or with Appam…Enjoy!

Notes :

  • This is a very hot dish. Add or reduce chilli powder according to your taste. Optional – To bring down the heat, if you want can substitute red chilli powder with kashmiri chilli powder or paprika . 
  • Keep this curry closed for at least 20 minutes before serving, so that the gravy absorbs all flavors.
  • The taste of the curry depends the quality of the coconut milk. I prefer using fresh squeezed coconut milk.
  • I have used King Fish head, in this recipe, you can use vatta / bluefin trevally, ayala /mackerel fish head for this recipe.
Have a Great Weekend!

Sangeetha
5/5 (1 Review)
5/5 (1 Review)


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Comments

  1. sangeetha says

    Hi Sania, Looks like my reply is coming delayed, sorry about that ? I’m away on a vacation.Hence delay in reply.Very happy to know that you like my space, thanks a lot again for your kind words.Suggestions are always welcome! Sure, will keep your suggestion in mind and will try to work on it. Thanks! Hope to see around more.

    Cheers!
    Sangeetha

  2. Sania says

    Hi Sangeetha, I am a very passionate foodie and am always looking for new recipes. My passion keeps me busy looking for new ideas for recipes and today I found yours. Your recipes are awesome and I must say it’s nice work as some of your recipes are totally new on the net. I would also like to give you a suggestion: just like this website as I am inspired with it: http://kfoods.com/ramadan_iftar_recipes, you should create more attraction in your recipes by placing respective images with each step. Rather than placing all images separately and posting recipe steps separately.

    If you post first step and then its image, then second image and then its relevant image, this will be more appealing;
    Well still not bad!
    Sania

  4. sangeetha says

    Hi Patprathu, I'm really sorry for the late reply as well for inconvenience caused. Lately there are some technical error occured some gadgets like print and pdf options are not showing on the respective recipe page. We're currently working to resolve it ASAP. Thanks for brining into our notice. Much appreciated! For sure will let you know as soon as it's fixed.

    Thanks!
    Sangeetha

  5. sangeetha says

    Thanks for leaving a comment letting me know it turned out well for you! Hope you continue to try more recipes from here and like them too.

    Cheers!
    Sangeetha

  14. foodieportal says

    I love your pictures and recipes, they are mouth watering. Would love for you to share them with us at foodieportal.com. Over at foodieportal.com we are not photography expert snobs, we are just foodies, so pretty much all your pictures will get accepted.

  18. tina mazumdar says

    me as a bengali, never waste any part of fish and this recipe gives me another idea on how to cook fish head next time..nice yummy recipe sangeetha

  20. Anupriya Trikkannad says

    its awsum yaar….kallu shap curry i love it….am made about beef ulathiyath which i had from kallu shap…..anyways its so inspiring yaar….if u dont mind may i share some tulunadu dishes….please try it…

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