
Arabian fish salona is a bold, tomato-based fish curry simmered with warm spices, green chilies, dried lemon, and fresh herbs. The fish can be lightly fried first for extra flavor or added directly to the sauce for a softer, homestyle curry.
Pat the fish pieces dry. Rub them with turmeric, red chili powder, and salt, then let them marinate for 30-45 minutes. For a richer curry, shallow-fry the fish until lightly golden on both sides; for a lighter version, leave the fish raw and cook it directly in the gravy later.



Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and lightly golden. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the tomatoes and green chilies. Cook until the tomatoes soften and begin to break down.



Add the cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds, cracked black pepper, Kashmiri chili powder, fish curry powder if using, za'atar, and dried lemon. Stir well, splash in a little hot water, and cook until the spices smell fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the masala.



Pour in the remaining hot water and bring the gravy to a steady boil. Add the fried or marinated fish pieces in a single layer, spoon the sauce over the top, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.



Stir in the fresh coriander and lemon juice. Turn off the heat and let the curry rest, covered, for 10 minutes so the flavors settle. Serve hot with rice, flatbread, or warm Arabic bread.



Use firm fish such as salmon, rohu, katla, tuna, kingfish, cod, or sea bass so the pieces hold their shape. If using delicate fish, avoid stirring after adding it to the gravy; gently spoon sauce over the pieces instead. Dried black lemon gives the curry its distinctive Gulf-style tang, but extra lemon juice can be used if unavailable. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid breaking the fish.





