Madhu's Mean Curry

Ingredients:
1. About 5 fishes of the kind shown, cleaned and cut as depicted
2. Roughly quarter cup of oil (any vegetable oil should do)
3. A small handful of Madras onions (shallots), finely sliced
4. 6 slit green chillies 

5. 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
6. One piece of ginger cut in juliennes
7. A small handful of curry leaves
8. A quarter teaspoon of turmeric
9. A tablespoon of red chilli powder
10. A tablespoon of coriander powder
11. A pinch of fenugreek seeds
12. Salt to taste
13. Some 4-5 pieces of cocum

Method:
1. Heat the oil in a clay pot.
2. Add the onions, green chillies, ginger, garlic and curry leaves. Saute for a couple of minutes.
3. Lower the fire. Add the fenugreek seeds and the moistened powders (add some water to the powders before putting them in the pot so that they do not burn).
4. Let it all fry well until there is a good smell. Add a bit of water now and then to prevent burning.
5. Add the fish, cocum torn into pieces and enough water to cover the fishes.
6. Bring to a boil and cover and let it cook.