Rinse the fish well and pat dry.
To a mixing bowl, add gram flour, salt, red chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric, amchur, kasuri methi, ajwain, ginger garlic paste & lemon juice.
Mix all of them well. Taste test & add more salt and red chilli powder if needed.
Transfer the fish pieces and add 2 tablespoons curd or water. Coat the fish well with all of these.
If it is too dry, you may sprinkle some water. All of the fish pieces should be coated well with the masala.
Pour ¼ to ½ cup oil and heat it. When the oil turns hot, test by dropping a small portion of the masala to the oil.
It has to rise with out browning a lot. This is the right temperature. Gently slide the fish pieces into the oil.
Deep fry them until crisp and golden. You will begin to smell it good when the fish is done.
Serve Amritsari fish hot as a side or appetizer.
Dry roast besan on a medium flame for few mins till you get a nice roasted aroma. This is done to remove the raw smell from the besan. Do not darken the flour.
Set this aside to cool.
Rinse fish and cut to desired sizes. Drain the water completely.
To a mixing bowl, add ginger garlic, red chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric, salt, amchur, kasuri methi & lemon juice. Taste test and add more salt if needed.
Add the fish to this and marinate well. If the fish looks too dry then sprinkle some water. I don't use curd for pan frying. Set aside for 10 mins.
Heat a wide pan with 2 tablespoons oil. Add ajwain.
When they begin to splutter, place the fish pieces one by one and fry them on a medium flame for 4 mins.
Flip the pieces and let them fry for another 5 mins.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons besan evenly all over on one side and continue to fry without burning. To avoid lumps I sieve the flour directly on the fish.
Flip the pieces and fry again. The flour that we sprinkle on one side will be enough for both the sides. If needed can increase the flame slightly and fry on both sides till cooked.
When it is done you will begin to smell the whole thing good. Serve tawa fish hot as a starter or as a side dish.