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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

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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
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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 recipePin

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 recipePin

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 recipePin

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 recipePin

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 recipePin

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 recipePin

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 recipePin

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 recipePin

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
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Hello!

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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