Ayala-Ilumbanpuli Curry (Mackerel Bilimbi Curry) | Kerala Recipe

Ingredients for Ayala-Ilumbanpuli Curry (Mackerel Bilimbi Curry):

1. Mackerel (Ayala) – 3 
2. Bilimbi (cut lengthwise) – ½ cup 
3. Coconut oil – 3 tablespoons 
4. Onion – 1 large, sliced lengthwise
   Ginger – 1 piece, sliced lengthwise
   Green chillies – 5, slit lengthwise 
5. Coriander powder – 2 tablespoons
   Chilli powder – 1 tablespoon
   Turmeric powder – ¼ teaspoon 
6. First extract of coconut milk – 1 cu
   Second extract of coconut milk – 2½ cups 
7. Salt – As required 
8. Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon
   Dry red chillies – 2, broken into pieces
   Curry leaves – 2 sprigs
   Kashmiri chilli powder – ¼ teaspoon

How to prepare Ayala-Ilumbanpuli Curry (Mackerel Bilimbi Curry)?

1. Clean the mackerel and keep them whole or cut into pieces as desired. 
2. Slice the bilimbi and set aside. 
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and sauté the ingredients listed under set 4. 
4. Once well sautéed, add the ground paste made from the ingredients in set 5 and continue sautéing. 
5. When the raw smell goes away, add the second extract of coconut milk and salt to taste. Once it comes to a boil, add the fish and tamarind and allow it to cook. 
6. After the fish is cooked, add the first extract of coconut milk. Once it comes to a boil, remove from the heat. 
7. Heat the remaining coconut oil, splutter the ingredients in set 8, and pour the seasoning over the curry before serving.

Courtesy: Vanitha Magazine, March 29-April 11, 2025

Also read a few more fish curry recipes. Visit my page.