Pescatarian Punjabi cuisine offers a delightful mix of flavours, combining the region's rich culinary traditions with the freshness of seafood.
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Amritsari Fish
- Description: A popular street food from Amritsar, this dish features marinated tilapia fish illets or hake coated in a spiced gram flour (besan) batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The marinade typically includes a mix of spices like ajwain (carom seeds), red chili powder, and garam masala, giving the fish a bold, tangy flavor.
- Serving Style: Usually served with green chutney and a sprinkle of chaat masala, often paired with pickled onions and lemon wedges.
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Fish Curry (Punjabi Style)
- Description: This is a robust and flavourful fish curry made with a base of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger, spiced with cumin, coriander, and turmeric. The curry is simmered until the basa fish absorbs the rich, tangy gravy.
- Serving Style: Served with steamed rice or roti, and sometimes garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
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Prawn Masala
- Description: A spicy and aromatic dish where prawns are cooked in a thick tomato and onion gravy, seasoned with traditional Punjabi spices like garam masala, cumin, and red chili powder. The dish often has a slight tang from the use of yogurt or lemon juice.
- Serving Style: Best enjoyed with naan, paratha, or jeera rice.
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Machhli Amritsari Tikka
- Description: This is a variation of the traditional chicken tikka, made with marinated salmon or cod chunks. The fish is marinated in a blend of yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and a mix of Punjabi spices, then skewered and grilled to perfection.
- Serving Style: Often served with mint chutney, sliced onions, and a wedge of lime.
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Tandoori Fish
- Description: Fish fillets or whole king fish are marinated in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, and spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala. The marinated fish is then cooked in a tandoor (clay oven), giving it a smoky flavor and tender texture. Tandoori spices are also good
- Serving Style: Typically served with naan, tandoori roti, or salad, along with a side of chutney.
These dishes showcase the rich and diverse flavors of Punjabi cuisine while adhering to a pescatarian diet.
