Stuffed Fish Parathas

Fish Pathiri is popular in Northern Kerala. I tasted Fish Pathiri for the first time from a friend’s house and liked it a lot. I decided to try Fish Stuffed Parathas similar to Fish Pathiri. I had a few Tilapia Fillets and prepared the stuffing using it. These Fish Parathas tasted yummy and we enjoyed it. If you love Fish, you should give this recipe a try.

This is an excellent tiffin for kids. If you have fish fillets, you can make this quickly.

Ingredients

For the stuffing

1. Tilapia Fish Fillets – 2 (You can use any Fish of your choice)
2. Finely Diced Onions – 1 small
3. Diced Tomatoes – 1 large
4. Finely Diced Green Chillies – 2 (Optional)
5. Minced Ginger – 1 tbsp
6. Minced Garlic – 1 tbsp
7. Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
8. Red Chilly powder – 1/2 tsp + 1/2 tsp (Alter according to your Spice Tolerance)
9. Fish Masala Powder – 1 tbsp (I used Eastern Fish Masala powder)
10. Black Pepper Powder – 1/2 tsp
11. Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 to 1 tsp
12. Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp + 2 tsp
13. Salt – to taste

For the Paratha

1. Wheat Flour – 2 cups
2. Salt – to taste
3. Warm Water – as needed
4. Oil/Ghee – few teaspoons
5. Wheat Flour (for dusting) – as needed

Preparation Method

Making the dough

1. Combine wheat flour, little salt and 1 tsp oil in a bowl.
2. Slowly, add warm water and start kneading to form a smooth dough which is not sticky.
3. Drizzle a few drops of oil to coat the outer surface of the dough. Cover the dough with a wet cloth and keep it aside for 15-20 minutes.

Preparing the Fish Masala

1. Wash the Tilapia fillets and soak it in water along with 1 tbsp lemon juice. Rinse and drain after 5 minutes.
2. Marinate the fillets with salt, turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp red chilly powder.
3. Microwave the fillets for 4-5 minutes. Shred the fish with a fork and keep aside.
4. Heat oil in a pan and saute onions until translucent.
5. Add ginger, garlic, green chillies and curry leaves and saute for a few minutes.
6. Add tomatoes along with salt to taste and cook until soft and pulpy.
7. Reduce heat and add 1/2 tsp chilly powder, 1 tbsp fish masala powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper powder, garam masala powder and saute for 2 minutes.
8. Add the shredded tilapia pieces and mix everything well. Sprinkle 2 tsp lemon juice.
9. Cover the pan and cook on medium low heat for 5-7 minutes till it is completely cooked and dry.

Rolling out Parathas

1. Make big lemon sized balls from the dough using your palms.
2. Flatten each ball by dusting it lightly in wheat flour.
3. Place the flattened dough on a rolling board and start rolling to form a thin circle of 4-5″ diameter.
4. Make 2 such Parathas and keep aside.
5. Take a spoonful or two of the fish masala and spread it on the surface of one paratha.
6. Take the second Paratha and place it on the first Paratha and seal the edges thoroughly by pressing it.
7. Continue to make Stuffed Parathas with the remaining dough.

Baking the Parathas

1. Heat a tava or non stick pan/griddle on medium high heat. Place the stuffed paratha on the hot tava.
2. Cook  both sides of the Paratha on medium heat  till it is starts puffing and small brown spots start appearing.
3. With the back of a spoon dipped in oil, you can dab oil on both sides of the paratha to make it soft.
4. Serve these Fish Parathas with any Raitha and Pickle.

Notes

1. You can also use Canned Fish for this recipe. Canned Tuna is an excellent choice.
2. Fish Masala Powder is optional. You can use Coriander Powder and Fennel Seeds Powder instead of Fish Masala Powder.