This is special for Keralites. Sardine (മത്തി  OR ചാള ) in curry or fried form is a regular diet on Malayali’s cuisine. Sardine is an abundant sea fish variety in Indian costs and is well known as a rich source of Omega-3. The recipe I present here is the one I like the most among the slight different variation of fries I tried.

Ingredients

1. Sardine (മത്തി )                : 15
2. Ginger garlic paste           : 1 T sp.
3. Chilli powder      : 2 ½ T sp.
4. Turmeric powder              : ½ T sp.
5. Fennel powder   : ¼  T sp.
6. Pepper powder  :1 ½  T sp.
7. Water for making masala paste
8. Salt to taste
9. Oil for shallow frying

Method

• Clean the fish well and make gashes on the fish in both sides, that masala can penetrate inside.

• Make a  thick paste with the masala ingredients (ingredients 2 -8)
• Marinate the fish with the masala paste and keep for minimum 2 hours.
• Put a pan on the stove, pour enough oil for frying
• Once the oil is hot gently put the fish in an order, not overcrowd the pan.
• Fry the both sides in medium heat.
• Once fried, take out the fish and is ready to serve.