Mackerel Varattiyathu(Inside Clay Pot)/Oil Free And Healthy Fish Fry/Ayala Varattiyathu(Mann Chattiyil)

Today's post is Mackerel (we call it Ayala in Malayalam) Varattiyathu or fried,but frying without oil sounds strange,na? I say fried in the sense that it tastes very close to the fried ones or may be tastes even more better.


 As I have mentioned in my earlier post about the benefits of Sardines and Mackerels and that my dad has a special like for sea food specially Prawns and then these two fishes and all those small variety fishes.He and all my family folks love the  fried varieties of fish,specially my Hubby. Due to dad's health problems he was not supposed to use oil,so my Umma prepares this for him.After this recipe,we all started having this instead of the fried Mackerel.
 The Garlic used in the recipe gives it a beautiful flavor along with the use of Banana leaf and the slow cooking makes it a wonderful recipe.On to the recipe:
Ingredients
Mackerel                 3 medium
Chilly powder         11/2 tsp
Kashmiri Chilly powder        1 tbsp
Turmeric powder       1/4 tsp
Garlic chopped          1tbsp
Lime juice                 1tsp
Salt                          as needed
Water                       1/4 cup 
Other Things Needed
Banana leaf
Clay pot

Preparing Method
-Clean the fish well and make 2-3 slits on both sides of each fish.
-In a bowl add both the chilly powders,turmeric powder,chopped Garlic,salt and the lime juice.Give it a mix and add the Mackerels and marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
-Now take a clay pot and place a piece of banana leaf inside the bottom of it.
-Place the marinated fish on top of the leaf and add 1/4 cup of water.
-Cover it with a lid and cook on low flame till the water dries up.
-Once the water dries you can slowly flip the fish(just optional) and cook for another 1 or 2 minutes.
-Remove from flame and serve after ten minutes.

*Be a little careful while flipping the fish.
*You can add the red chilly powder as per taste.