Nellore Chepala Pulusu/Fish in Tamarind Gravy

Name: Nellore Chepala Pulusu/Fish in Tamarind Gravy
Total time: 2400 s
Yield: 5 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 kg cut into pieces Rohu (Indian Carp); 1 tsp Turmeric powder; 1.5 tsp Red Chilli powder; 1.5 tsp Salt; 4-5 tbsp Oil; 1 tsp Mustard seeds; 1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds; 10 leaves Curry leaves; 1/4 tsp Asafoetida or Hing; 2 sliced Onions; 3-4 chopped Tomatoes; 2-3 slit Green Chillies; 1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste; 3-4 tbsp Tamarind paste (mix in some water to make a thick pulp); 300 ml Water; 1 tsp Coriander powder; 1 tsp Cumin powder; 1/4 cup roasted and ground Coconut or Copra; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder; 1 tbsp Red Chilli powder; 2-3 tsp Eastern brand Fish Masala

ZMA @zesty5

#cookpadindia
#newrecipe
#everydaycooking
#Andhra
Chepala Pulusu or Fish Curry from Nellore district in Andhra State is a yummy variation of different types of Fish Curries made in the Country. Chepala means Fish and the Pulusu means Tamarind based Curry. It is a rich, creamy and above all a tangy variation made with an Onion Tomato base and Tamarind. Basically it's a pure homemade delicious fiery Red Curry made with some selected spices and Tamarind along with a perfect Onion Tomato base. Dry Coconut or Copra added in a little quantity gives it a nice flavour and nutty aroma. Dessicated Coconut also can be used in place of Copra.

Tamarind gives a good mouthful of tanginess to the Curry which is the signature style. Infact it is left aside to taste it the next day which makes it extremely flavourful and delicious with the beautiful amalgamation of flavours that are infused overnight. You would fall in love with this amazing variation once you give it a try. Let's get on with the recipe straight away then.

Enjoy Cooking with Zeen!

ZMA @zesty5

Enjoy Cooking with Zeen!

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Ingredients

35-40 minutes

5 servings

1 kgcut into pieces Rohu (Indian Carp)
1 tspTurmeric powder
1.5 tspRed Chilli powder
1.5 tspSalt
4-5 tbspOil
1 tspMustard seeds
1/2 tspFenugreek seeds
10 leavesCurry leaves
1/4 tspAsafoetida or Hing
2sliced Onions
3-4chopped Tomatoes
2-3slit Green Chillies
1 tbspGinger-garlic paste
3-4 tbspTamarind paste (mix in some water to make a thick pulp)
300 mlWater
1 tspCoriander powder
1 tspCumin powder
1/4 cuproasted and ground Coconut or Copra
For the marination -
1/2 tspSalt
1/2 tspTurmeric powder
1 tbspRed Chilli powder
2-3 tspEastern brand Fish Masala

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Steps

35-40 minutes

1

Marinate fish with turmeric, chilli powder and salt overnight in the fridge.
2

Heat oil on a low. Add mustard and fenugreek seeds, then curry leaves and asafoetida. Now add green chillies too and the chopped or sliced onions.
3

Saute onions until golden for a few minutes. Also don't forget to add ginger-garlic paste. Cook until fragrant.
4

Add tomatoes and cook until they soften and are mushy. Also add ground dry coconut or dessicated one so that it gets roasted well.
5

Add marinated fish pieces with coriander and cumin powders now once the tomatoes and the coconut gets cooked well. Gently combine. Pour tamarind pulp as well.
6

Pour water and simmer on a low heat until fish is cooked and flavours are released.
7

Adjust salt and serve hot with simple boiled Rice. Enjoy!

Tips

Marinating the fish overnight enhances the flavor, and adding tamarind pulp after sautéing the onion-tomato mix gives a rich tanginess.

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ZMA @zesty5

on August 20, 2025 18:05

Homemaker by choice and a passionate cook by heart. An aspiring cook who actually never knew anything about Cooking until i became a mother myself.With Motherhood came the responsibilities as well and this was the turning point in my life.I started to learn the ABC's of cooking, taking help from my mother and my MIL. And time just flew. I spread my wings higher and higher. With my love for excellence and innovation, i stepped into a world of homecooks with my exposure to Cookpad one fine day on the social media. And there was no looking back since then and i have not only shared recipes here on this wonderful platform but also have made some lovely friends as well. Today iam successful because of my hard work, dedication and loads of good wishes of my family and my kids in particular.