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You are here: Home / Kerala Recipes / Kerala-Style Fish Moilee, Meen Moilee Recipe, Step by Step

Kerala-Style Fish Moilee, Meen Moilee Recipe, Step by Step

November 24, 2015 31 Comments

Fish moilee or meen moilee, a mild Kerala-style fish stew recipe that’s made with lightly fried fish, coconut milk, and spices.

As you guys probably know by now, I don’t cook meat or fish in my kitchen. Although I reason I give is TH’s vegetarianism, the actual truth is, he doesn’t care what I cook as long as he gets his vegetarian dishes. So it’s my laziness in cooking separate things for him and me that’s the actual reason. There, I said it!

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

Due to this self-imposed limitation, I asked my amma to be a guest contributor to Edible Garden. We live in Kerala, and although we don’t eat fish every day like most Malayalis do, some fish does get cooked in her kitchen on and off. So expect posts from amma in this blog from now on, with pictures styled by her and taken by my dear uncle.

Here’s a previous recipe cooked and clicked by the bro-sis team: chambakka pickle. For more fish recipes, check out chilli fish recipe, Kerala fish fry, Kerala red fish curry, meen peera.

Ok on to today’s recipe: Fish Moilee or Meen Moilee, a very popular Kerala fish stew that’s cooked in coconut milk and spices. The flavour is light, yet spicy with a good bit of green chillies in the mix. Each household in Kerala will have their own version of course, and this is amma’s.

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

Meet the fish. These big-eyed beauties are called Unnimary after the pretty actress of the 80s known for her large, beautiful eyes. So yeah, she was quiet a sexy addition to movies back in the day.

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

I apologize to my vegetarian readers and friends for this picture. But I had to demonstrate what a quick learner amma is. I gave her some photography tips over phone about good light, background, plating, no flash, etc and she followed the “rules” beautifully.

You can use any firm fleshy fish for fish moilee. Cut into small pieces and proceed with the rest of the recipe. Admittedly, I don’t have much experience handling fish so trust my mom on this, ok?

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

Here are some of the ingredients we need. Lots of onions, fresh curry leaves and green chillies, and of course, coconut milk. Here’s how to make coconut milk at home.

Kerala Fish Moilee / Meen Moilee Recipe

Serves 4
Recipe source: Amma

Ingredients:
500gm firm fleshy fish, cut into small pieces
2 large onions, sliced into long, thin pieces
8-10 green chillies, depending on heat level required
Thick coconut milk 1/2 cup (onnaam paal)
Thin coconut milk 1.5 cups (rendaam paal – if using store bought coconut milk, mix water with 1/2 cup coconut milk)
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tbsp vinegar
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp pepper powder
2 1″ pieces of cinnamon (don’t use powder)
4 cloves
1/2 tsp maida/plain flour
2-3 sprigs of curry leaves
Salt to tate
(Coconut) Oil as needed

Instructions:

1. Clean the fish and add a pinch of turmeric powder, some salt, and 1/2 tsp red chilli powder (this is in addition to what is listed above under ingredients) to the pieces. Rub in well and leave aside for 30 minutes to an hour.

2. Heat about 1 cup oil in a small frying wok or pan and fry the fish until half done. The idea is to semi-cook the fish rather than fry it well. Drain and set aside.

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

3. Heat about 1 tbsp oil in another pan and saute the onions until soft and pink. To this, add the flour, chilly powder, pepper powder, turmeric, and curry leaves. Fry for another minute or so.

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

4. Next, add the thin coconut milk along with the ginger, green chillies, vinegar, cloves and cinnamon along with salt as needed. Cook closed on low heat for about 12-15 mins until all the spices come together in the mixture.

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

5. At this stage, add the semi-fried fish. When the mixture comes to boil, add the thick coconut milk, mix well and remove from fire (don’t bring to boil after adding the thick coconut milk).

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

Notes:

– As I have mentioned, different parts of Kerala make fish molee in a different way. Another version I have seen is much milder and lighter in colour because all the heat comes from green chillies and no red chilli powder is added. Amma’s version sometimes has an orange colour because she generally uses Kahsmiri chilli powder that has a deeper red colour but milder heat. Dishes cooked in my house are not very spicy, if at all.

– Fresh coconut milk works best for this dish. Store-bought coconut milk will lend a different flavour and may not exactly satisfy your cravings if you are hoping for this authentic fish molee for your meal

– Serve hot with rice and any stir-fried vegetable or mezhukkupuratti of choice.

kerala fish molee stew meen molee recipe

Huge thanks to Amma and Radha mama for the superb step by step pictures 🙂

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By nags Filed Under: Kerala Recipes, Seafood Recipes, Uncategorized

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Su Tyler

    January 13, 2020 at 4:10 am

    Hi, what are curry leaves? what can I use as a substitute? Maybe curry powder? Thanks!

    Reply
    • nags

      February 6, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      curry leaves are fresh leaves you use in a lot of indian dishes. curry powder is not the same. just leave them out if you can’t find them!

      Reply
  2. Cynthia Pinto

    March 9, 2012 at 5:39 am

    Looks delicious. is this a red snapper fish?? although i love all your recipes, its the non veg section i like best. unfortunately there are fewer recipes in this section. please keep the posts running…

    Reply
    • Nagalakshmi V

      March 9, 2012 at 9:50 am

      it's similar to red snapper, called unnimary (after the actress) in Kerala. you can substitute with red snapper for sure.

      i am not very good at making non vegetarian recipes because i don't cook it in my home in singapore. my husband is a vegetarian and it doesn't make sense to do different food for us not to mention care against cross contamination, etc. all the recipes i share are from my mom 🙂

      Reply
  3. Cynthia Pinto

    March 9, 2012 at 5:37 am

    Looks delicious. is this a red snapper fish?? though i love all your recipes, personally for me the non veg section is the best. unfortunately there are fewer recipes in this section. please keep the non veg posts running too…..

    Reply
  4. Miri

    June 11, 2011 at 2:32 am

    I thought of the same thing too – what did they call the fish before the actress! Lol!

    The moles looks perfect – one of my fav dishes – it's amazing how just minimal spices and coconut milk can create such a delicious dish!

    Reply
  5. Nags

    June 3, 2011 at 1:28 am

    yes it will make a difference but not too much 🙂 go for it!

    Reply
  6. yarn_lady

    June 2, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Thanks for the Yum recipe! I am going to try it but I don't have coconut oil will it make a difference?

    Reply
  7. Ratna

    May 31, 2011 at 10:25 am

    Thank you so much Nags.

    Reply
  8. Nags

    May 31, 2011 at 1:56 am

    Ratna, here's the process I follow to extract coconut milk.

    Transfer grated coconut to the mixer jar. Add enough warm water (depends on quantity of coconut used – for 1 cup coconut, use about 1/4 cup water).Grind well. Take handfuls and press firmly with your palm through a sieve. This is your first grade thick coconut milk.

    Repeat the process once or twice more and you have the thinner milk.

    Reply
  9. Ratna

    May 30, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Nags, can you please tell me the right way to extract thick coconut milk and thin coconut milk from the coconut scraps? Is it necessary to soak the coconut scraps in boiling water for some time?

    Reply
  10. Linda

    May 28, 2011 at 7:57 am

    This looks delicious — your comment about fresh coconut milk may be the push I need to be brave and get myself a coconut grater. I'd like to try the real thing. I followed your link from an old link on my site — congratulations on your food-writing publication! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Saee Koranne-Khandekar

    May 27, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    What a creamy moilee! I have enjoyed several versions of this on my trips to Kerala and in restaurants here but have never had the courage to make it because it looks like mom-food. You know, the kind that you shouldn't mess with because what if it turns out wrong and you get turned off it forever? Now that i have a mother's recipe, I think i'll make it soon. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Taste Junction

    May 27, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    Hi..this recipe is surely worth attempting. BTW remember me? Some time back I asked for your suggestions on my blog…Do check it out now –
    http://www.tastejunction.blogspot.com

    Reply
  13. shamshad

    May 27, 2011 at 7:16 am

    Thank You Naagu for the 'Unnimeri' pics…this was my fav during school days(I used to stay at Kottayam then)…I have never seen 'Unnimeri' after that(the fish ofcourse:))…thanx again:)

    Reply
  14. SSant

    May 27, 2011 at 5:38 am

    ooh nice to see a fish rcipe in here 🙂 Hope more follow. Yes , we do not use chilly powder for our version of fish molee…
    And Kashmiri Chilly powder is piriyan mulaku podi. There are two kinds of whole red chilly that u get in the super markets… Piriyan mulaku looks twisted … this one has more color and less heat..
    Ssant

    Reply
  15. Elena

    May 27, 2011 at 11:29 am

    the yummy recipe
    i like a lot
    ======================
    webdesign

    Reply
  16. Pete

    May 27, 2011 at 12:12 am

    Would love to have this with rotis or rice for lunch….looks delicious!

    Reply
  17. Ananda Rajashekar

    May 26, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    AH you make me drool in anticipation! heavenly!

    Reply
  18. Bong Mom

    May 26, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    I loved this post. Your Mom is extremely sweet. I was also pleasantly surprised to see u guys fry the fish(most Mallus I heard cook it in the gravy, the Bongs fry).

    I have C.Milk, fish molee here I come

    Reply
  19. Krithi's Kitchen

    May 26, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Awesome clicks! and so authentic preparation… Mom's preparation would be more tasty since she adds a whole lot of love in it…
    My hubby is also a vegetarian and so I dont cook nv at home… and I think I am slowly converting to vegetarianism..

    Reply
  20. Kalyani

    May 26, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    wow delicious and yummy curry nags …

    Reply
  21. Anonymous

    May 26, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I have been trying to comment with my google account but each time they aske me to log in, now i have given up.
    I love this curry too.
    I still have to convert hubby to our fish dishes so i naver make them home too. Always wait till i gt home to eat them.
    Saw Daily bread asking fro malayalam name for the kashmiri chillie powder, I was looking to my malayalam cooking book magic oven by Lakshmi Nair , it is written it is calle piriyan Mulagu poddi. But have seen in shops in kerala they selling kashmiri chillie powder in the same name that malaylam name.
    Happy Cook

    Reply
  22. Hamaree Rasoi

    May 26, 2011 at 11:06 am

    Hi Nags,
    I'm here after a long time. And was surprised to see fish here . But then after reading your post i realized…Your amma has done a fantastic job by not only making a delicious fish recipe but by clicking photos as per your instruction 🙂

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

    Reply
  23. sangeeta

    May 26, 2011 at 9:26 am

    I Love fish molee but my version (learned from a TV show)used pomfret and looks lighter . Your talent in photography seems to have come from your amma and mama for sure 🙂

    Regarding the name of this beautiful looking fish , what this fish was called before the 80s , when this actress was not known ? I have never seen a fish like this although i saw many in a fish market near marina beach some time back 🙂

    Reply
  24. Daily Bread

    May 26, 2011 at 9:11 am

    hey ….what do you call kashmiri chillies in malayalam….and do you get unnimary everywhere…..does it have a lot of bones…..your mom is awesome…..

    Reply
  25. Priya

    May 26, 2011 at 8:45 am

    Slurp,mouthwatering here..fantastic fish stew..

    Reply
  26. Priti

    May 26, 2011 at 6:28 am

    Though I don't eat fish ..the gravy looks yum

    Reply
  27. arundati

    May 26, 2011 at 6:12 am

    back in the days when i was a non vegetarian, this was one of my fave! now the pics will do! kudos to your family for the pics!

    Reply
  28. Anonymous

    May 26, 2011 at 5:44 am

    Sweet!:)
    -Hb

    Reply
  29. Nags

    May 26, 2011 at 9:16 am

    I am not sure what Kashmiri chilli powder is called in malayalam. I will check with amma and let you know 🙂 I am not sure if Unnimary is available everywhere in Kerala. Or maybe its known by a different name cuz i am positive our fish guy named this fish himself!

    Reply

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I am Nags, the face behind Edible Garden, a food and recipes website for the busy (and sometimes lazy!) cook since 2007. My recipes are meant to be quick yet healthy and delicious - Nothing fancy, nothing too difficult. Follow Me On Instagram for real-time food and life updates.

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