Meen Choru ~ Malabar Style Fish Rice

13. Meen ChoruPin

 

Including more fish into my family’s diet is something that I am struggling with, just like how I struggle to include vegetables! Even though I have a carnivorous bunch, they are more bend towards chicken, and then comes mutton and beef. But fish is not something they like. 🙁 I prefer fish more than the other non-veg but I don’t like to make it alone for me, so find ways to incorporate them somehow and make them eat.

 

Today’s recipe is the Malabar style fish pilaf – I have already shared two versions of this rice: one with meat and the other with chicken. So this is the last version available, till I hopefully discover more such similar rice recipes. 😀 I have tried this rice with fresh fish and frozen fish fillets for ease, and I must say that fresh fish wins the battle hands down. It is advised to use thick chunks of fish, which hold its shape while cooking, like king-fish and shark fillets. You can even use prawns in this recipe but ensure to precook it till half done before adding it to the masala. Recipes as such do not involve a lot of work and tastes delicious too.

 

Love fish based rice recipes? Then here’s two already on the blog!

Simple Fish Biriyani

Malabar Chemmeen (Prawn) Biriyani

 

 

13. MC1Pin

 

Pin
5 from 2 votes

Meen Choru ~ Malabar Style Fish Rice

Course Rice
Cuisine Malabar
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Author Rafeeda

Ingredients

  • FOR THE FISH:
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil/ ghee separated
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 2 green chillies minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
  • 1 to mato chopped
  • 3/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 heaped tbsp coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp fennel powder
  • 1/4 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
  • 500 gm kingfish thick pieces
  • FOR THE RICE:
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil/ ghee
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 inch pc cinnamon
  • 3-5 cloves
  • 2 cardamoms pound
  • 2 cups jeerakashala rice washed and drained
  • 4 cups water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Coriander leaves for garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large saucepan. Fry the onions and green chillies till wilted.
  • Add the ginger garlic paste and tomatoes and cook till wilted.
  • Add all the masala powders and saute till nicely fried, ensure not to burn.
  • Add the fish and slowly mix in with the masala. Sprinkle salt and cook on low flame for around 10 minutes. Add the water and allow it to boil.
  • Meanwhile, in another saucepan, heat oil and fry the whole spices.
  • Add in the drained rice and saute till crisp.
  • Slowly add this to the boiling fish mixture and give a small stir. Adjust seasoning.
  • Keep on high flame allowing it to come to a rolling boil. Now reduce the flame and cook on simmer on closed lid till the rice is done.
  • Give it a very soft stir, ensuring that the fish doesn't break. Serve hot sprinkled with coriander leaves.

Notes

The cook-time mentioned for the fish is if you are using thick cuts of fish. If you are using boneless chunks or small pcs of fish, only flip them till white, then add water to boil.

Join the Conversation

  1. I love fish and can have it any way. This looks fabulous…and lovely photo too. In my case both boys absolutely abhor fish. I tried but finally had to give up trying! But I husband and I remain forever faithful…to fish!:)

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Hehe… Even I can’t give up fish… I keep making once in a while, and sometimes the kids seem to like fish, so maybe I am winning over them… 🙂 Thank you so much Kanak…

  2. Really rafeeda this is one of my favourite rice!I never ever make this and fish biriyani bcoz hubby don’t like fish!????Your rice tempting me!

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Similar situation in my house, but HD likes fish… thanks a lot Shazia… 🙂

  3. Yum…but simple question will the fish be overcooked if it is cooked with rice

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      If you go through the recipe, the fish is only cooked like upto half. Since the pcs used are big, it is fine, but if you are using boneless chunks, then you don’t need to even cook it for that long. I will update the post accordingly. Thanks a lot for pointing out, Nisa…

  4. That looks the perfect colour and texture of biryani. I haven’t yet succeed in making the kids eat fish happily .I hope in near future it happens .

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Nusrath…

  5. I wish my husband ate fish…this looks so tasty!

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Angie…

  6. I never get bored of rice recipes. This looks great!!

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thanks a lot Cathleen…

  7. Oooo.what can i say ….mmmmm
    Aa churru onnu parcel kito☺

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thanks a lot Hiba…

  8. This looks different from fish biryani….sounds easy too…My family members also is much inclined towards chicken and mutton and fish is rarely made…Will try this recipe next time when I get fish…

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      This is more like pulao that biriyani… Thank you so much Lubna…

  9. 5 stars
    Oh wow! Doesn’t this looks so delicious and tasty. I have never tried this variation before. You make it look simple, easy and tasty!!!

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Fareeha…

  10. Even I dont like to cook for myself alone. The recipe sounds delicious and easier than fish biriyani.. Oru pulao pole????

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Yes, Malabar style pulao… 🙂 Thanks a lot Sherien…

  11. One pot meal,absolutely delicious.

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thanks a lot Suja…

  12. 5 stars
    This is a dish very similar to one my late mother used to make something with chicken or lamb. She always said biryani was too time consuming, except for Eid, and would often make her rice dish, which we call Akhni, in Cape Town for Sunday lunch. Yours looks just as delicious 🙂

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Yes, there is a style of making called Yakhni in northern India, but it is different from how we make it in south, including the spices, but the essence is the same. 🙂 Thanks a lot Razena…

  13. I have never heard of meen choru before, I am just familiar with erachi chor. This is great. My husband is a seafood freak. So he will love this for sure. Good one. Saving. ????????????

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      I came through meen choru through HD’s cousin’s wife, who makes it for herself when she makes chicken biriyani for the family, hehe… Thanks a lot Sadia… 🙂

  14. Delicious one pot meal

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thanks a lot Ruxana…

  15. I have never ventured into malabar cuisine and you have inspired me to try the malabar style cooking…

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Asiya…

  16. I have never had meen choru and just checked with my mom last night and looks like we don’t make it either. We are more of fish biryanis! 😛 But like Shazia, I cannot bring fish to my kitchen even though I love only a very few seafood.. but they all need to be fried. I cannot have them boiled or cooked! ewwww… This is exactly what makes you a FOOD Blogger! you have a recipe for every thing! 😛 Muah!

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      😛 I love fish when I take it after ages… Hehe… your comments always make me smile… Thanks a lot Fami… 🙂

  17. This looks yum. I think choru is a version of Pulao. I Loved seafood but stopped eating as my hubby doesn’t like it. It’s tiresome cooking for one person. But I can expect a treat from you ????

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Haha… why not? Whenever u feel like… 😉 Thanks a lot Humi…

  18. looks so delicious…flavourful and easy to make

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thanks a lot Gloria…

  19. Wow, such a yummy looking platter. would love to eat it now.

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Shobhaji…

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