Soak the dried red chillies overnight in plain water
Weigh the Bombil Fish.
Remove the heads, tails, and fins.
Now cut in about one inch pieces and soak in water with some vinegar in it.
Soak for minimum 20 minutes.
After weighing the garlic, get it ready for grinding.
After weighing the ginger, get it ready for grinding.
Grind the ginger, garlic and red chillies with the water in which the chillies were soaked, till you get a fine paste.
Make a fine paste of masala in the grinder
Drain the fish completely before frying.
In a thick pan or a non-stick pan, heat 2tbsp of sesame oil and start frying the fish in it, on medium heat.
Fry the fish till it turns golden and crispy. Keep tossing at regular intervals. Once the fish is done, keep it aside.
In a wok, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of Sesame oil on medium heat. Now drop some curry leaves in it, till they turn dark green.
Next, add the curry leaves to the wok. Lower the heat.
Now, add the cumin seeds, and the fennel seeds to the wok.
Add the grounded masala to the wok. Cook on low heat till the oil comes to the sides.
Add the turmeric powder and the salt. This stage will take around 10 minutes.
Now drop the fish in this masala and stir with a light hand. Lower the heat.
Once the fish looks well coated with the masala. Check the salt. Now add the vinegar and stir it once more and switch off the heat.
Store in an airtight container when fully chilled. Enjoy!