Mathi (മത്തി) OR Sardine are commonly available healthy fish variety worldwide. This cheap and nutritious fish rich with Omega-3,  perhaps can be considered as the greatest gift of ocean to mankind. Kerala costs are abundant with sardine and hence it has become a part of daily diet of malayali.

There are multiple preparation methods for sardine-with and without coconut- from region to region can be traced. Puliyum Mulakum (പുളിയും മുളകും) is one of the tastiest Mathi- preparation, which uses tamarind and/or coccum(കുടമ്പുളി) with hot red chillies.

Ingredients

1. Mathi (sardine) :1/2kg
2. Tomato1/4.     Sliced
3. Garlic crushed.  2 tsp
4. Ginger crushed.  1 tsp
5. Curry leaves.  1 Strig
6. Oil.           1 tblsp
7. Kokum (കുടമ്പുളി).  2-3 pieces
8. Tamarind.     1 gooseberry size
9. Coconut oil : 1 T sp.
10. Salt to taste

For masala

1. Chilli powder  :2 tbl sp
2. Coriander powder :3 Tsp
3. Turmeric powder: ½ Tsp
4. Fenugreek powder(ഉലുവ , வெந்தயம் )  : ¼ Tsp

Method

• Clean the fish.

• Dry roast the masala ingredients and make it as a paste with enough water.
• Pour oil in a pan  or earthen pot & add the ginger and garlic.
• Fry it till the color became brown
• Add the masala paste and fry it for another 3 to 4 minutes or until the oil separate from the masala
• Add1 cup of water along with sliced tomato, tamarind, Kokum and salt
• Bring it for boil; once it boiled well, add the cleaned fish on it.
• Wait for another 4 minutes, then reduce the flame to medium and close the lid.
• After 8 minutes remove the lid and add the curry leaves and coconut oil.

• For better taste, keep the curry overnight. The added taste comes as the masala and getting well absorbed to the fish.