Fish masala fry (macha jhal)

There is proverb in odia (regional language of Odisha) "Aaghrane ardha bhojana" which means inhaling smell of food is like eating portion of your meal... And when it happens to be fish masala or in fact any dish of fish, and you happen to be a fish lover you need to have really good self control to resist yourself having a piece or two when it is being fried to be cooked for curry later. There are many versions of fish curry and to me all are yummy and fish masala fry is definitely one of  the top three. Goes well with both rice or roti. If you have not tried yet, give it a shot and you won't regret! Here it goes...

Method

Fish- 5-6 pieces (you can take any fish rohu, tilapia, samon.. I have used salmon)
mustard oil- 4-5 tblsp
Turmeric powder- 2 tsp for marinating and 1tsp for gravy
1tsp  red chilli powder
2-3 whole cardamon pieces.
1 big onion- roughly chopped
2-3 slit green chilies 
handful fresh curry leaves
1 tblsp crushed ginger garlic
2 medium size tomatoes Sliced ,
1tsp cumin- coriander powder
1tsp garam masala 
1tsp tomato sauce
sugar- 1tsp
salt as per taste

Method:

Wash the fish pieces properly and marinate with turmeric and salt for at least half an hour. 
Heat mustard oil in a pan. Fry the pieces till they turn golden brown in color. keep them aside.
In the same pan heat 1-2 tbsp oil, whole cardamon pieces. Now add onion,  green chilies and curry leaves. let them fry till onion becomes translucent. 
Add crushed ginger garlic. Saute for 2-3 min. Add sliced tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin- coriander powder and salt.
Saute  till tomatoes become soft. Now its time to add the tomato sauce. Gently add the fish pieces to the masala. Sprinkle some water. Cover and let it cook for 2-3 mins till the masala is well absorbed by the fish. add garam masala to it. mix well and garnish with coriander leaves.
Serve hot with plain rice and daal.