Southindian Style: Fish and Chips Recipe (Fish Bajji Recipe)

 

I was inspired to recreate this recipe after following many videos on Youtube. Fish bajjis are famous in Pondicherry, these are starters enjoyed across the region. Try to use fish fillets for this recipe any fish would taste excellent. I purchased tilapia from fresh to home which is was convenient to prep and prepare the recipe.

Recipe Video is posted on Youtube English and Tamil Channels 😉

Fish Bajji Recipe Ingredients:

Marination:

300 Grams Tilapia Fish Fillets 

1 1/2 Tsp Ginger and Garlic Paste

1 1/2 Tbsp Spicy Chilly Powder

1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder

1 Tsp White Pepper Powder

1/4 Tsp Roasted Cumin Powder

1/4 Tsp Chicken Masala or Tandoori Chicken Masala

1/2 Lime

Salt

Oil For Frying

Ingredients for Batter:

1 1/2 Cups Chickpea Flour

1 Tbsp Chilly Powder

1/4 Tsp Cumin Seeds

1/4 Tsp Carom Seeds

1 Pinch Cooking Soda Powder

1/4 Tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Hot Oil

Prep:

Wash the tilapia fish fillets and allow it to drain in a colander.

Next pat the fish fillets with a paper napkin and reserve in a plate.

Peel and wash equal amounts ginger and garlic, roughly chop and add it to a mixer jar grind to form a smooth paste and reserve.

Add chickpea flour to a sieve and sift it thrice and reserve the flour in a mixing bowl.

Separate curry leaves wash and reserve.

Marination:

In a mixing bowl, add ginger and garlic paste, chilly powder, turmeric powder, white pepper powder, cumin powder, tandoori chicken masala, salt and lime juice, mix all the ingredients and form a smooth paste.

Apply this masala on fish fillets cover and allow it to marinate for 30 minutes. place the fish in fridge until use.

Batter:

Heat oil in a wok for frying in a wok on low flame.

In a mixing bowl add chickpea flour, chilly powder, cooking soda, cumin seeds, carom seeds, salt and 2 tbsp hot oil mix well.

Add water gradually and mix to form a smooth batter. The batter should coat a spoon or finger evenly when dipped, it should not be watery neither thick. 

Allow the batter to rest on the counter top for 5 to 10 minutes covered.

Once the oil is hot add french fries and fry till golden, drain from hot oil and reserve on a serving platter.

Method:

Remove the fish fillets from fridge, apply the marination on the fish evenly.

Once the oil reaches smoking point , place it on low flame, take the fish fillets and dip it in the batter the fillet should coat on both sides, shake out excess batter and gently drop it in hot oil. 

Place the flame on medium and allow the fish to cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Gently flip the fish fillets with a slotted spoon and fry it on both sides till golden. Drain the fish from hot oil and reserve on a plate lined with paper napkin. Allow excess oil to drain and serve the fish bajjis with hot sauce along with french fries...Enjoy!