These Red Pomfret Recipes are easy to make and full of flavour. 

 

What’s Pomfret?

Pomfret is one of the most popular fish in Southeast Asia. its delicate white flesh has a subtle ‘non-fishy’ flavour that makes it so unique. It has a flaky, light flesh with fewer bones making it easy to cook. 

 

Here are 15 Red Pomfret Recipes (Indian style) you should try.

 

#1. Pomfret Fry

Time required: 40 minutes

Servings: 3

 

Ingredients:

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

2 tsp cooking oil, to shallow fry

1 tsp dried red chilli powder

Salt, to taste

1 tsp cornflour

1 tsp tamarind paste

3 red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

1 tsp turmeric powder

 

Instructions:

1. Make gashes on each side of the skin.
2. Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined.
3. Apply this mix on both the sides of the fish and allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan and place the fish in it. Continue to fry until browned or for about 5 minutes.
5. Remove from the pan. Drizzle some freshly squeeze lemon juice before serving. 

 

#2. Dahi Pomfret

 

Time required: 30 minutes

Servings: 3

 

Ingredients:

2 bay leaves

½ tbsp garam masala

Oil

Salt, to taste

4 green chillies

½ tbsp Fish curry masala

2 onions

1 tbsp garlic paste

½ tbsp ginger paste

3 tbsp yoghurt (dahi)

250 g red Pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

A pinch of turmeric powder

 

Instructions:

1. Mix turmeric and salt in a bowl. Using your fingers, evenly spread this mix on both the sides of the fish.
2. Heat oil in a wok and fry the fish. Keep aside.
3. In a blender, blend ginger garlic paste along with green chillies. 
4. In a wok, heat a teaspoon of oil and add the bay leaves. Add onions and fry until they’re golden in colour. Stir in the ginger garlic chilli paste along with pepper, salt and fish curry masala. Add yoghurt and cook until oil is separated from the mix. Add water and bring to a boil.
5. Toss in the fried fish and cook until well coated. 
6. Sprinkle garam masala and serve immediately with rice.

 

#3. Dopiaza Pomfret

 

Time required: 30 minutes

Servings: 5-6

 

Ingredients:

For the marinade:

2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp salt

½ tsp red chilli powder

2 tbsp lemon juice

 

For the curry:

1 cup mustard oil

Salt, to taste

6-7 green chilli splits

½ tsp fenugreek powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp red chilli powder

⅓ cup coriander leaves

1 tsp red chilli powder

⅓ tsp garlic paste

⅓ cup onion paste

1 cup onion, chopped

3 tsp turmeric powder

8 red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

 

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl. Apply it using your fingers on the fish and allow to marinate for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a wok. Fry the fish, drain and keep aside.
3. In a pan, heat a teaspoon of oil and fry the onions until golden in colour.
4. Add all the ingredients apart from coriander leaves and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add fried fish and water once the oil separates from the mix. Cook for 5-6 minutes until everything is well combined. 
6. Remove from fire and garnish with coriander leaves before serving.

 

#4. Baked Pomfret

 

 

Time required: 2 hours

Servings: 2

 

Ingredients:

1 tsp yellow mustard seeds

1 tsp black mustard seeds

2 spoon lemon juice

1 tsp poppy seeds

1 medium-sized red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

5 cashew nuts

½ cup mustard oil

2 tbsp coconut, grated

½ tsp sugar

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp salt

 

Instructions:

1. Soak black and yellow mustard seeds along with poppy seeds and cashew nuts for an hour. 
2. In a bowl, mix mustard oil, turmeric powder, lemon juice and salt. Apply this marinade on the fish and keep aside for an hour.
3. Use a blender to grind all the soaked items along with green chillies and coconut. Blend until smooth. Add salt, sugar and turmeric and blend again. 
4. Preheat the oven for 10 minutes on 175°C. Line a baking tray with aluminium foil and place the marinated fish on it. Add the paste on the backside of the fish and cover with an aluminium foil. 
5. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

 

#5. Sorche Pomfret

 

Time required: 10 minutes

Servings: 2

 

Ingredients:

8-10 dry red lentil fritters

1 tomato, finely chopped

Mustard oil

Salt, to taste

1 tsp turmeric powder

6 tsp mustard powder

2 red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

 

Instructions:

1. Heat mustard oil in a pan and fry the fish in it. Continue to fry until golden in colour. Remove and keep aside. 
2. Fry the dry red lentil fritters in the same pan. Remove and keep aside.
3. In a bowl, add water and mustard powder to form a smooth paste.
4. In another pan, add a teaspoon of oil and add the tomato. Continue to cook until they turn soft. Add turmeric paste and salt. Mix and cook for a few minutes. 
5. Add fried fish and cook for a few more minutes until everything is well combined. Serve immediately. 

 

Also try: Pomfret Recipes for True Bengalis

 

#6. Masala Pomfret Fry

 

Time required: 35 minutes

Servings: 4

 

Ingredients:

Juice of a lemon

2 tsp chaat masala

½ tsp garam masala

1 tsp pepper powder

2 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp turmeric powder

3 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder

750 g red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

 

Instructions:

1. Mix together all the dry ingredients in a bowl along with the lemon juice. Add water and make a thick paste. Apply this paste on the fish using your fingers. 
2. Marinate the fish for an hour in the refrigerator.
3. Shallow fry in a non-stick pan and serve immediately.

 

 

#7. Tandoori Pomfret Fish

 

Time required: 30 minutes

Servings: 2

 

Ingredients:

½ tsp black salt

1 chilli, slit lengthwise

½ onion, cut into rings

¼ lemon

1 tsp red chilli powder

2 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder

1 tsp salt

2 cloves garlic

Oil

1 tsp turmeric powder

250 g red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

1 tsp ginger

 

Instructions:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl along with garlic and lemon juice. Mix and apply this marinade on the fish. Leave for at least 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan and cook the fish on low heat, flipping every few minutes.
3. Serve garnished with onion rings and chillies. 

 

#8. Makmali Pomfret

 

Time required: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

 

Ingredients:

3-4 tbsp oil

1 cup curry leaves

2-3 whole red chillies

½ tbsp fennel seeds

1 tsp ginger, grated

2-3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 onion, finely chopped

Salt, to taste

4-5 green chillies, slit lengthwise

1 tsp red chilli powder

2 cups tender coconut pulp

4 medium-sized red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

2-3 tbsp tamarind paste

2 tsp turmeric powder

 

Instructions:

1. Marinate the fish with turmeric and salt and keep aside for 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the fish. Remove, drain and keep aside.
3. Use a blender to make a smooth paste of the tender coconut pulp.
4. In a pan heat oil and add the coconut paste, green chillies, salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. Bring to a boil and add tamarind paste.
5. Stir in the fried fish, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes on low heat.
6. In a small pan, heat a teaspoon of oil to make the tadka. Add curry leaves, onion, garlic, ginger, whole red chillies and fenugreek seeds. 
7. Add this tadka to the fish curry and cover and cook for another 20-30 minutes on low heat.
8. Serve hot with rice. 

 

#9. Goan Red Pomfret Fish Curry

 

Time required: 35 minutes

Servings: 2

 

Ingredients:

Salt, to taste

1 tbsp tamarind paste

2 green chillies, chopped

¼ cup coconut curry paste

¼ cup onion paste

1 glass of coconut milk

Coriander leaves, to garnish

 

For the curry paste:

2 red pomfret fillets

1 tbsp tamarind paste

1 tsp coriander seeds

¼ tsp turmeric powder

½ tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp cumin powder

6 peppercorns

¼ cup coconut, grated

 

Instructions:

1. Rub the fish with salt and keep aside.
2. In a pan, heat oil and add the onion paste. Cook until it begins to change colour. Add the salted fish pieces and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Add 1 ½ tablespoon of water and salt and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes on medium flame. 
3. Stir in the coconut curry paste, coconut milk, tamarind paste, red chilli and turmeric powders, coriander seeds, and green chillies. Cook for a minute and remove from fire.
4. Serve garnished with coriander leaves and grated coconut.

 

 

#10. Manglorean Red Pomfret Fish Curry

 

Time required: 60 minutes

Servings: 2

 

Ingredients:

Salt, to taste

Oil

10-12 curry leaves

½ tsp turmeric powder

1 ½ tsp coriander seeds

⅛ tsp fenugreek seeds

½ tsp cumin seeds

½ tsp peppercorns

1” piece of ginger root

10-12 cloves of garlic

2 green chillies

2 onions, chopped

1” tamarind ball

8-10 dry red chillies

500 g red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

 

Instructions:

1. Mix ¼ teaspoon salt and turmeric powder in a bowl. Apply this mix on the fish and allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Use a blender to blend together turmeric powder, garlic, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, ginger, peppercorns, fenugreek seeds, onions and green chillies into a smooth paste.
3. Soak the tamarind ball in ¼ cup of warm water. Add masala paste, salt and tamarind pulp along with a cup of water on medium heat. Bring to boil and simmer adding up to 1 cup of water as and when required. Add the fish once the gravy starts to thicken. Cook for another 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, heat oil in a small pan for tempering (tadka). Add curry leaves and remove from fire as soon as they begin to cackle. Immediately add it to the curry and serve with Neer Dosa or steamed rice. 

 

Also try: 10 Healthy Instant Pot Fish Recipes 

 

#11. Red Pomfret in Pistachio Gravy

 

Time required: 25 minutes

Servings: 2-3

 

Ingredients:

½ tsp coriander powder

Salt, to taste

½ tsp cumin powder

½ tsp turmeric powder

4-5 red pomfret, cleaned and washed

½ cup yoghurt

2-3 tbsp pistachios, chopped

2 green chillies

1 tsp mustard seeds, soaked for 15-20 minutes

½ tsp nigella seeds

3 tbsp mustard oil

 

Instructions:

1. Marinate the fish insult and turmeric powder for 10-15 minutes.
2. Use a blender to blend together yoghurt, green chillies, pistachios and mustard seeds into a smooth paste. 
3. Heat oil in a pan and lightly fry the fish on both sides. Remove, drain and keep aside.
4. Temper the same oil with the nigella seeds. Stir in the paste along with all the dry spices. Continue to saute until the oil begins to separate. 
5. Add a cup of water and boil on high heat. Add the fried fish and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Remove from fire, drizzle some mustard oil, stir and enjoy with steamed rice. 

 

#12. Red Pomfret Seasme Fry

 

 

Time required: 40 minutes

Servings: 3-4

 

Ingredients:

3 red pomfret fish, washed and cleaned

 

To coat:

¼ cup cornflour

2 tbsp sesame seeds

 

To marinate:

½ tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

Salt, to taste

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp red chilli powder

 

To fry:

¼ cup of refined oil

 

Instructions:

1. Make an incision on both the sides of the fish. 
2. Mix the ingredients for the marinade and marinate the fish for 30 minutes.
3. Coat the fish using sesame seeds and cornflour.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry the fish on both the sides until crisp and browned. 
5. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves and lemon rings. 

 

#13. Spicy Red Pomfret Curry

 

Time required: 25 minutes

Servings: 3-4

 

Ingredients:

1 cup of water

½ tsp garam masala

Salt, to taste

1 tsp ginger, crushed

1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder

3-4 green chillies, chopped

1 tomato, chopped

1 tsp garlic, crushed

2 onions, chopped

6 tbsp mustard oil

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 big red pomfret, washed and cleaned

 

Instructions:

1. Marinate the fish with salt and turmeric powder and keep aside for 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the fish until crisp and browned. Remove, drain and keep aside.
3. In the same pan, heat oil and saute the onions until translucent. Add garlic and ginger and saute for a few minutes.
4. Add salt, garam masala powder, red chilli powder and turmeric powder along with green chillies and tomatoes. Mix everything together and cover and cook for 3-4 minutes.
5. Uncover and simmer until the oil separates from the gravy. Add a cup of water along with fried fish. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
6. Remove from fire and serve hot garnished with coriander leaves. 

 

#14. Spicy Malai Pomfret

 

 

Time required:  40 minutes    Servings: 6

 

Ingredients:

2 bay leaves, 1 tsp Kewra essence, 4 green chillies (slit lengthwise), Ghee and oil, Sugar and salt (to taste), 1 tsp pepper powder, 2 dry red chillies, 4 cloves, 1” cinnamon stick, 4 green cardamoms, 2 tbsp melon seeds paste, 2 tbsp poppy seeds paste, 6 pomfret fish (washed and cleaned), 2 tsp chilli vinegar, 200 g yoghurt, Paste of 3 onions, 2 tsp garlic paste

 

Instructions:

Marinate the fish in pepper powder, salt and vinegar and keep aside for 30 minutes. Heat oil in a pan and temper with bay leaves, red chillies and garam masala. Add garlic and onion paste and saute on low heat for a few minutes. Add melon and poppy seeds paste, sugar and salt and saute until the oil begins to separate. Toss in the fish, cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 minutes. Uncover, fish the flip and add chillies. Cover and cook for 5 more minutes. Once the gravy is reduced, add Kewra essence and serve garnished with green chillies and onion rings. 

 

 

#15. Grilled Masala Pomfret

 

Time required: 2 hours

Servings: 2

 

Ingredients:

1 tsp tomato sauce

1 tsp mayonnaise

3 tsp lime juice

1 tsp mustard sauce

½ tsp roasted cumin powder

3 tsp mustard oil

½ tsp turmeric powder

3 tsp red chilli powder

3 tsp ginger-garlic paste

Salt, to taste

2 red pomfret, washed and cleaned

 

Instructions:

1. Make a few slits on both the fish. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and rub this paste on the fish and allow to marinate for an hour.
2. Place the fish on a greased grill for 30 minutes. Baste halfway through with oil or the remaining marinade. 
3. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves and green chillies and onion rings on the side. 

 

The Takeaway

We hope you liked our compilation of the best 15 red pomfret recipes. Do let us know which recipe did you like the most in the comments section below!

 

Also try: Fish Recipes For People Who Don’t Like Fish