Red fish curry powder

My grandmother would send our farm help to the market to buy fish, the moment she hears my voice calling her name across the fields.. she knows how much i like to eat her Red fish curry with rice. Kodampuli(kokum) is the secret ingredient. When I got married, she gave me enough puli that would last another generation

I make the fish curry powder and keep...so it is easy
Proportion is easy to remember
3 t spn of chilli powder
1 t spn of coriander powder
1 t spn turmeric powder
1/2 t spn pepper powder.
I am not good in maths..so I take a plastic bottle and keep following the proportion..when the bottle is 3/4 full, i close it and give it to my kids.. They enjoy shaking it and mixing it throughly.

to make the curry

fish..cleaned and cut in to chunks: 500 gms
fish curry powder : 2 tbl spn..mix it with 2 tbl spn water and keep aside
kokkum: one small piece..cut in to small piece and soak in half cup of warm water
Ginger and garlic chopped fine:1 t spn each
onion:chopped fine 1 tbl spn
mustard seeds: 1/2 t spn
fenugreek seed: 1/4 t spn
Curry leaves:1 sprig
oil: 1 tbl spn

Heat chatti, add the oil, when the oil is hot, add the mustard, when the mustard finished spluttering, add the fenugreek and curry leaves, when the seeds turn lightly brown, add the ginger and garlic..when they brown add the onion and saute. When the onion is lightly browned, add the soaked fish curry powder. keep stirring till the oil floats to the surface..if the masala is getting too dry, add a tbl spn more water. when the masala is fried well add a cup of water and the kokkum(plus the kokkum soaked water).. when it boils, add the fish and salt. Cover, when it boils, open the lid and cook on slow fire till the fish is done. I like to eat with hot rice and moru