Smoked fish is usually made with whole fish with fewer bones. They are first marinated for half an hour with tandoori masala powder, salt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice and a variety of powdered spices like coriander, red chili, turmeric, and roasted cumin seeds. They are then shallow fried after coating with a semolina and rice flour mix, which adds to the crispiness and finally smoked. Continue reading my simple recipe to learn the steps to make smoked fish at home.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Smoked fish is a very popular dish in India, especially in the coastal regions.
- Serve it hot as is with fresh salad, lemon wedges, onion rings, tomato ketchup or with steamed rice.
- Smoked fish offers a crispy, earthy, tangy and slightly spicy taste.
- Other similar recipes are plain fish fry, rava fish fry, fish kabab, and fish tikka.
The Ingredients:
To marinate the fish:
- 5 pieces Mackerel fish (washed, with cuts on both sides of the body)
- 1 tbsp tandoori masala powder
- ½ tsp coriander seed powder
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
- ½ tsp ginger garlic paste
- Salt to taste
- Lemon juice (half a lemon)
- 1 tbsp water (if required)
To coat the marinated fish pieces:
- 100 grams Semolina (sooji or rava)
- 50 grams rice flour, sooji, and red chili powder mixture
To fry the fish pieces:
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
To smoke the fish:
- 1 piece burning charcoal
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
We visited Goa several years back and there I came across a stall on the beach selling different types of fried fish. This specific dish caught my interest so I decided to order one. While the stall owner made it, I carefully watched the process and wrote it down in my kitchen diary after returning to the hotel.
I made it at home weeks later, following the recipe precisely. The frying and smoking were just perfect for a proper balance of flavor and taste. My sons loved the crispy exterior and juicy flesh of the fish and my husband said it reminded him of the trip to Goa. It was such a happy moment for me, and I considered myself lucky to have come across this recipe.
How to Make Smoked Fish? (Step by Step Guide with Images)
Step 1: Wash and make cuts on both sides of 5 pieces of Bangda or Mackerel fish.
Step 2: Mix 1 tbsp of tandoori masala powder, ½ tsp of coriander seed powder, ½ tsp of red chili powder, ½ tsp of turmeric powder, ½ tsp of roasted cumin powder, ½ tsp of ginger garlic paste, salt to taste, juice of half a lemon, and 1 tbsp of water (if required).
Step 3: Coat the fish.
Step 4: Mix 100 grams of semolina (sooji or rava) with 50 grams of rice flour, sooji, and the red chili powder mixture. Coat each fish piece.
Step 5: Shallow fry them in 2 tbsp of cooking oil.
Step 6: Smoke them.
Step 7: Your tasty and spicy homemade smoked fish is ready.
Recipe Card
Smoked Fish
Ingredients
To marinate the fish:
- 5 pieces fish washed, with cuts on both sides of the body
- 1 tbsp tandoori masala powder
- ½ tsp coriander seed powder
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
- ½ tsp ginger garlic paste
- Salt to taste
- Lemon juice half a lemon
- 1 tbsp water if required
To coat the marinated fish pieces:
- 100 grams Semolina sooji or rava
- 50 grams rice flour sooji, and red chili powder mixture
To fry the fish pieces:
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
To smoke the fish:
- 1 piece burning charcoal
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
- Wash and make cuts on both sides of 5 pieces of Bangda fish.
- Mix 1 tbsp of tandoori masala powder, ½ tsp of coriander seed powder, ½ tsp of red chili powder, ½ tsp of turmeric powder, ½ tsp of roasted cumin powder, ½ tsp of ginger garlic paste, salt to taste, juice of half a lemon, and 1 tbsp of water (if required).
- Coat the fish.
- Mix 100 grams of semolina (sooji or rava) with 50 grams of rice flour, sooji, and the red chili powder mixture. Coat each fish piece.
- Shallow fry them in 2 tbsp of cooking oil.
- Smoke them.
- Your tasty and spicy homemade smoked fish is ready.
