Wash the fish very well and leave It in water for at least 2 hours. I use lemon juice to wash as this gets rid of the smell.

Wash the kuddam pulli well and leave it in a small bowl with water and to this water put the washed curry leaves pulled out from the stem and leave this for some time, say 10 minutes.

Crush the ginger garlic and shallots in a mortar very well.

In a heavy based steel frying pan, add the oil when this is hot add mustard and fenugreek seeds,

When it splutters, add the crushed onion, ginger and garlic. Brown this well,

When this is brown add coriander powder, roast for 2 minutes and keep stirring all this time.

Now add the turmeric powder, salt and add the kudam pulli and curry leaves with the water.

Add the chilly powder. Stir so that the chilly powder is well blended,

Leave this on the heat till boiling point. When this boils add the fish pieces. Reduce the flame and cover and let it cook, for around 15-20 minutes.

The fish curry is ready to be served with plain rice.