Telugu-style Spicy Eel Curry

Ingredients

In the Telugu-style Spicy Eel Curry, we adapt the original Croatian dish by incorporating Telugu spices and flavors. The original dish is typically prepared with Mediterranean herbs and spices, while the Telugu version uses a combination of traditional Telugu spices like red chili powder, turmeric, coriander, and cumin. Additionally, the Telugu-style curry includes ingredients like tamarind and curry leaves, which add a unique tanginess and aroma to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Jegulja na dalmatinski način, so you can check it out.

• 500g eel, cleaned and cut into pieces 500g eel, cleaned and cut into pieces
• 2 onions, finely chopped 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons oil 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoons red chili powder 2 teaspoons red chili powder
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder 1 tablespoon coriander powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin powder 1 tablespoon cumin powder
• 4-5 curry leaves 4-5 curry leaves
• Salt to taste Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Marinate the eel pieces with turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Set aside for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds.
3. 3.
   Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
4. 4.
   Add the tomato puree and cook until the oil separates.
5. 5.
   Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and salt. Mix well.
6. 6.
   Add tamarind paste and curry leaves. Cook for a minute.
7. 7.
   Add the marinated eel pieces and mix gently to coat them with the spice mixture.
8. 8.
   Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the eel is cooked through and tender.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
10. 10.
    Serve hot with steamed rice or roti.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Eel — Ensure that the eel is fresh and properly cleaned before marinating. If eel is not available, you can substitute it with any firm white fish like cod or haddock.

Tips & Tricks

• Adjust the spice level according to your preference by increasing or decreasing the amount of red chili powder.
• For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of roasted sesame seed powder to the curry.
• To enhance the aroma, temper the curry with a pinch of asafoetida (hing) along with the mustard seeds.

Serving advice

Serve the Telugu-style Spicy Eel Curry hot with steamed rice or roti. Accompany it with a side of cucumber raita or a fresh green salad to balance the spiciness.

Presentation advice

Garnish the Telugu-style Spicy Eel Curry with a sprinkle of fresh coriander leaves to add a pop of color. Serve it in a traditional Telugu-style copper or brass bowl for an authentic touch.