Lahori Fish Fry Homemade - Marinate and Freeze for Winters - Machli Ko Masala lagane ka tarika

Lahori Fish Fry is a delicious winter treat, especially when you marinate and freeze it for convenience. Here's a recipe for marinating and freezing Lahori-style fish:

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### **Ingredients for Marination:**
- **Fish fillets or slices**: 1 kg (preferably Rohu or Basa, or any firm fish)
- **Gram flour (Besan)**: 4 tbsp
- **Cornflour**: 2 tbsp
- **Rice flour**: 2 tbsp (for crispiness)
- **Lemon juice**: 2 tbsp
- **Ginger-garlic paste**: 2 tbsp
- **Salt**: to taste
- **Turmeric powder**: ½ tsp
- **Red chili powder**: 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
- **Coriander powder**: 1 tsp
- **Cumin powder**: 1 tsp
- **Carom seeds (Ajwain)**: 1 tsp
- **Garam masala powder**: 1 tsp
- **Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)**: 1 tsp (optional, for extra flavor)
- **Yellow food color**: a pinch (optional)
- **Oil**: 1 tbsp (for coating)

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### **Marination Method:**
1. **Clean the fish:** Wash the fish slices thoroughly and pat them dry using a kitchen towel.
2. **Prepare the marination:**
In a large bowl, mix gram flour, cornflour, rice flour, and all the spices (salt, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, ajwain, and kasuri methi). Add ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and oil. Mix well into a thick paste.
3. **Coat the fish:** Rub the marinade generously onto each piece of fish, ensuring it's coated evenly.
4. **Rest the fish:** Let the marinated fish sit for at least 2-4 hours in the refrigerator to absorb the flavors. If you have time, overnight marination works best.

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### **Freezing Instructions:**
1. **Layer and wrap:** Place marinated fish pieces on a tray lined with parchment paper. Keep the pieces separate to avoid sticking. Cover them with cling film or wax paper.
2. **Freeze the fish:** Freeze the tray for 4-6 hours or until the fish pieces are firm. Once frozen, transfer them into an airtight container or zip-lock freezer bags.
3. **Label and store:** Write the date on the container or bag. Frozen fish can be stored for up to 1 month.

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### **Frying Instructions:**
1. **Defrost:** Take out the required quantity of fish and let it thaw at room temperature for 30-40 minutes.
2. **Deep fry:** Heat oil in a deep pan or karahi. Fry the fish on medium-high heat until golden brown and crispy.
3. **Serve:** Serve hot with mint chutney, tamarind sauce, or your favorite dips.

Enjoy your homemade Lahori Fish Fry! It’s perfect for chilly winter evenings. 😊