A Huge Fish Cooking in Village - Biggest Fish Cutting - Mubashir Saddique - Village Food Secrets

Cooking a huge fish in a village setting is a wonderful experience, especially when it’s infused with traditional techniques and natural ingredients. Here's a detailed recipe inspired by Mubashir Saddique's style, featuring a large fish cooked in a rustic, village-style way. This recipe assumes you’re using fresh fish and preparing it outdoors on a wood fire or stovetop.

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### **Ingredients**

#### For Marination:
- Whole fish or large fish pieces: 5–6 kg
- Turmeric powder: 2 tbsp
- Red chili powder: 3 tbsp
- Coriander powder: 2 tbsp
- Cumin powder: 1 tbsp
- Garam masala powder: 1 tbsp
- Salt: 2 tbsp (adjust to taste)
- Lemon juice: 1 cup
- Garlic paste: 4 tbsp
- Ginger paste: 4 tbsp
- Mustard oil: ½ cup (or any cooking oil)

#### For the Masala (Optional for Curry or Gravy):
- Onion: 4 large (finely sliced)
- Tomatoes: 6 medium (chopped)
- Green chilies: 6–8 (slit)
- Fresh coriander: 1 cup (chopped)
- Garlic cloves: 10 (chopped)
- Ginger: 1-inch piece (chopped)
- Cumin seeds: 1 tbsp
- Whole spices:
- Bay leaves: 2
- Black cardamom: 2
- Cinnamon stick: 1 inch
- Cloves: 5
- Green cardamom: 4
- Yogurt: 1 cup (whisked)
- Salt: 1 tsp (adjust as needed)
- Red chili powder: 1 tsp

#### For Frying or Grilling:
- Cooking oil: For shallow frying or brushing
- Charcoal: For grilling or adding smoky flavor (optional)

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### **Instructions**

#### Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Fish
1. Clean the fish thoroughly, removing scales, guts, and fins. Wash it with water and lemon juice to remove any fishy odor.
2. Make deep cuts on the fish to allow the marinade to penetrate.

#### Step 2: Marinate the Fish
1. In a bowl, mix turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, salt, lemon juice, garlic paste, ginger paste, and mustard oil.
2. Rub the marinade generously all over the fish, including inside the cuts.
3. Let the fish marinate for at least 1–2 hours (overnight for better flavor).

#### Step 3: Cook the Fish
**Option 1: Frying the Fish**
1. Heat oil in a large, deep pan.
2. Gently place the marinated fish pieces in the hot oil.
3. Fry on medium heat for 5–7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

**Option 2: Grilling the Fish**
1. Preheat a grill or barbecue setup.
2. Place the marinated fish on the grill and cook for 8–10 minutes on each side, brushing with oil as needed.

**Option 3: Curry Style (Optional)**
1. Heat oil in a large pot. Add whole spices (cumin seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves).
2. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Stir in chopped tomatoes, garlic, ginger, green chilies, and spices (red chili powder, salt). Cook until the oil separates.
4. Mix in whisked yogurt and cook for 2–3 minutes.
5. Gently place the marinated fish in the masala and spoon the gravy over it. Cover and cook for 10–15 minutes on low heat.
6. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.

#### Step 4: Serve
1. Serve the fish hot with naan, roti, or steamed rice.
2. Pair with mint chutney, tamarind sauce, or a simple salad of onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

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### **Tips for Cooking Large Fish**
1. **Gentle Handling:** Be careful while flipping large fish to avoid breaking it.
2. **Even Cooking:** Make deep cuts on the fish to ensure even cooking inside.
3. **Marination:** Longer marination enhances flavor, especially for large fish.
4. **Outdoor Setup:** Cooking on wood fire or charcoal adds a rustic, smoky flavor.

Enjoy the delicious, village-style **Huge Fish Dish** with family and friends! 😊 Let me know how it turns out!