Grilled Fish (Rawalpindi Style)
A home-style recipe for Grilled Fish (Rawalpindi Style). Serves 4, ready in about 40 minutes, with steps for the usual way and for the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 whole fish, about 1–1.25 kg (rahu, tilapia or any firm fish), cleaned and scaled
- 2 tbsp vinegar, to wash the fish
- ½ cup (125 g) thick yogurt
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1½ tsp red chilli powder
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
- 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed
- 1 tsp cumin seeds, roasted and crushed
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp oil, plus more for basting
- Lemon wedges and chaat masala, to serve
Missing something?
- No fish? Use prawns or chicken.
- No yogurt? Use milk with 1 tsp lemon juice, rested 10 minutes.
On the grill
- Rub the fish inside and out with the vinegar, leave for 5 minutes, then rinse and pat dry. Cut 3–4 deep slashes, about 2 cm apart, on both sides.
- Mix the yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, salt, chilli, turmeric, ajwain, coriander seeds, cumin, lemon juice and oil into a thick paste.
- Rub the marinade over the fish, inside and into the slashes too. If you have time, leave it for 1 hour in the fridge; if not, cook it right away.
- Put the fish in an oiled fish-grilling basket. Grill over medium coals for 10–12 minutes on each side, basting with oil, until charred in places and the flesh flakes easily at the thickest part.
- No grill? Cut the fish into 3–4 cm thick steaks before coating them, and cook them on an oiled tawa or frying pan, covered, on medium heat for 5–6 minutes on each side.
- Sprinkle with chaat masala and serve with lemon wedges.
Tip: Keep the coals medium, not fierce; the yogurt coating burns before a whole fish cooks through on very high heat.
In the air fryer (about 40 min)
- Marinate fish steaks or a small whole fish in yogurt, ajwain and spices.
- Air fry at 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes, turning carefully halfway, until cooked through.
Air fryer tip: A large whole fish won't fit most baskets. Use fish steaks or a small fish, on a paper liner.
Air fryer basics: Heat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes first. Don't fill the basket more than halfway. Brush or spray a little oil. Turn or shake halfway. Use paper liners with holes. Air fryers vary, so check a few minutes early the first time.