
Kane Kari
Ladyfish simmered in a vibrant, spiced coastal curry flavoured with dried chillies, coriander seeds, and fragrant curry leaves.
Marinade spice
3 gRubbed over the fish before chilling (step 1)Spice paste masala
10 gBlended with onion and garlic into a paste (step 2)Everything else
Method
- Cut shallow diagonal slits along both sides of 12 ladyfish. Rub all over with the marinade spice (3 g ground turmeric) and salt to taste. Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Place the spice paste masala (2.1 g cumin seed, 1.7 g coriander seeds, 6 g dried red chilli) into a blender along with 150 g onion, 18 g chopped garlic, 4 tablespoons water, and a pinch of salt. Blitz into a smooth puree, drizzling in a little extra water if required to help it blend.
- Heat 13.5 g vegetable oil in a wide, heavy pan set over medium heat. Add the pureed spice paste and fry for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Pour in 500 g water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, then carefully slide in the marinated fish, any resting juices, and 2–2.5 g curry leaf. Cover with a lid and simmer gently for 7–8 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
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Small whole fish

Whole firm white fishUse the same weight; score the sides. Cook for the same time, turning carefully.
Whole pomfretUse the same weight; score thicker fish. Same cooking time, but handle gently as it breaks easily.
Whole mackerelUse the same weight; score the skin. It is oilier and stronger, so reduce tamarind or lemon slightly.

Ground turmeric

Ground gingerUse 50% of the weight. Mimics turmeric's warm, earthy, rhizome background, but provides none of the golden-yellow colour.
SaffronSteep a tiny pinch (0.1 g per 2 g turmeric) in 2 tbsp warm water; use to match the rich golden hue. Contributes an aristocratic, honeyed floral flavour rather than earthy bitterness.

Vegetable oil

Peanut oilUse 1:1 by weight. Handles high-heat frying identically and introduces a very subtle, pleasant nuttiness.
GheeUse 1:1 by weight. Yields a much richer, authentic aroma and a glossy, heavier mouthfeel.
Mustard oilUse 1:1 by weight. Heat until smoking, then cool slightly before cooking to temper its intensely pungent, sharp mustard kick.

Curry leaf

Bay leafFry 1 bay leaf for every 5 curry leaves in hot oil; imparts a warm, woodsy background note, but misses the citrus-sulphury punch entirely.
Lime juiceAdd a small squeeze (about 5 ml per sprig of curry leaves) right before serving; provides sharp citrus top notes without the toasty, herbal aroma.

Cumin seed

Ground cuminUse 70% of the weight; add with ground spices or sauce bases rather than hot oil tempering, where it scorches quickly and turns bitter.
Black cumin seedsUse equal weight for oil tempering. Delivers an earthy profile with an additional musky, smoky, and slightly bitter edge.
Fennel seedUse 60% of the weight for tempering; offers comparable warm aroma, but leans sweet and liquorice-like rather than savoury and earthy.

Coriander seeds

Ground corianderUse 75% of the weight; stir in along with wet masala or tomato purée rather than frying in hot oil, as the fine powder burns instantly.
Cumin seedUse 50% of the weight for tempering in hot oil. Lacks the floral, sweet citrus flavour of coriander, introducing warm, pungent earthiness instead.
Fennel seedUse 50% of the weight in tempering; provides pleasant aromatic sweetness, though noticeably aniseedy rather than citrusy.

Onion


Garlic

Garlic pasteUse equal weight. Fry gently in oil or ghee with the ginger; incorporates smoothly into curries without visible minced bits.
Garlic powderUse 15% to 20% of the weight (about 1 g for every 5 to 6 g fresh cloves). Whisk into sauces; gives a savoury, toasted garlic flavour without raw pungency.
ShallotUse 1.5 times the weight, very finely minced. Sauté until golden; provides savoury allium sweetness, though it lacks garlic's pungent sulphur bite.

Dried red chilli

Dried kashmiri chilliUse equal weight whole. Fry in hot oil or ghee as tempered spice; gives a richer red colour with slightly milder heat.
Red chilli powderUse 50% to 70% of the weight. Stir into the oil with ground spices; distributes heat evenly throughout the dish without whole chilli skins.

Grated coconut

Fresh coconutUse the same weight and grate finely. This is the direct fresh substitute; keep the same cooking time.
Grated desiccated coconutUse the same weight, then soak in warm water for 10 minutes and squeeze dry. Drier and less sweet; add a splash of water if the dish looks dry.
Desiccated coconutUse the same weight, soak in warm water for 10–15 minutes, then squeeze. Coarser and drier than fresh; good for curries and chutneys.
Similar dishes

- Same: Talela Bangda shares a spice base of dried red chillies, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and turmeric cooked in vegetable oil.
- Different: Instead of simmering ladyfish into an onion, garlic, and curry leaf gravy, Talela Bangda coats mackerel in a tamarind spice paste and shallow-fries it.

- Same: Poshto Maachh also simmers fish with turmeric, curry leaves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and dried red chillies.
- Different: Poshto Maachh cooks with pungent mustard oil, poppy seeds, green chillies, and sugar, while omitting the onion and garlic used in this dish.

- Same: Vatticha Mathi Kari also simmers fish in vegetable oil with an aromatic base of onions, garlic, curry leaves, turmeric, coriander seeds, and dried red chillies.
- Different: Instead of ladyfish and cumin seeds, it uses sardines and adds ginger, fenugreek seeds, black peppercorns, and sour cambodge.

- Same: Bhajela Saranga also prepares fish using onion, garlic, dried red chillies, turmeric, and vegetable oil.
- Different: Bhajela Saranga adds ginger and sour lime juice and is wrapped in parcels to pan-fry, omitting the cumin, coriander seeds, curry leaves, and simmered gravy of this dish.























