Meen Pollichathu / Fish cooked in Banana leaves

Ingredients:

1. Fish - whole scaled and cleaned (you can use Perlspot/Karimeen , Akoli/Pompano , Red snapper,Rock fish etc)
2. Tomato - 1 large chopped fine
3. Shallots - 6 sliced fine
4. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
5. Chilly powder - 1.5 tsp
6. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
7. Oil - 5 tbsp
8. Salt - to taste
9. Banana Leaf - 1 large piece

Masala to marinate the fish - mix together with water to form a thick paste

1. salt to taste
2. 1 tsp chilly powder
3. 1/4'th tsp turmeric powder
4. 1/3 tsp vinegar
5. 1/4th pepper powder

Method:
Clean the fish and make gashes on both the sides and apply the marination masala and leave it aside for 30 minutes or more.
Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a large non stick pan and shallow fry the fish for few minutes - you dont need to cook the fish but just sear the outside.Keep the fish aside
In the same oil add the ginger garlic paste and chopped shallot and saute until the shallots are soft.
Add the chilly powder and turmeric powder and saute well.
Add in chopped tomatoes and curry leaves and cook until oil starts separating.
Add salt to taste(The fried fish has salt so add just enough salt for the masala)

Lay the banana leaf flat and place some masala on the center, spread it out around the same size and shape as the fish.
Lay the fish on the masala and spread the remaining masala on top of the fish .
Wrap the fish with the banana leaf and secure with tooth pick.
Clean the large pan you used and add oil and heat it .
Place the wrapped fish into the pan and cover and cook on medium flame for 10 - 15 minutes turning it over in between .
Serve with slices of raw onion and lemon/lime wedges.