Sardines are considered the everyday fish, in many homes in Kerala.
Sardines, known locally as “mathi” or “chaala,” hold a special place in the culinary landscape and daily life of Kerala.
Historically, sardines have been abundant along the Kerala coast, making them an affordable and accessible source of protein for a large part of the population. This accessibility has ingrained them as a staple in the local diet. While sardine availability can fluctuate due to environmental factors, they generally remain a more budget-friendly option compared to larger fish varieties.
Everyone enjoys these fish in curries, but fried sardine is quite irresistible at lunchtime.
2 SIMPLE WAYS TO FRY SARDINES.
Kerala Sardine Fry – 2 recipes
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* Mathi Fry (Chaala Porichathu): Sardines marinated in spices and shallow-fried until crispy, a popular accompaniment or snack.
Other Popular Sardine – Mathi / Chaala dishes:
* Mathi Curry (Chaala Curry): A spicy and tangy curry made with coconut milk, tamarind, and various spices, often served with rice or tapioca.
* Mathi Pollichathu: Sardines marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and then grilled or pan-fried.
* Meen Peera: A dish where sardines are cooked with grated coconut, shallots, green chilies, and other flavorful ingredients.
* Mathi Roast: Sardines fried and then tossed with a spicy onion-tomato masala.
* Sardines are also used in pickles and as a flavorful addition to other vegetable dishes.
EAT AND TELL!!! Let us know if you tried – Kerala Sardine Fry – 2 Recipes
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Kerala Sardine Fry – 2 recipes
Description
Kerala Sardine fry or "Mathi Porichathu" (മത്തി പൊരിച്ചത്) is a quintessential and beloved dish in Kerala cuisine. It translates directly to fried sardines. It's a simple yet incredibly flavorful preparation that highlights the natural taste of the sardines enhanced by a few key spices.
Ingredients (Everyday Sardine Fry / Mathi Porichathu / Chaala Portichathu
Ingredients (Sardine Fry with Green Peppercorns / Pachakurumulaku aracha Mathi Varuthathu)
Instructions
For everyday Mathi Fry
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Wash the cleaned, scored fish. Rub with salt – leave a couple of minutes and wash off thoroughly.
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Marinate the fish with all ingredients except the vinegar for 10-30 minutes.
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Now rub the vinegar into the fish to evenly distribute.
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Heat Coconut oil in a frying pan or griddle pan to medium heat. Add the curry leaves. Hear the splutter.
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Now add and fry the fish on one side, undisturbed till golden brown and crisp. Then turn over and fry the other side. Fry in batches so that the individual pieces do not overlap while frying. Fry uncovered on low to moderate heat; around 5 minutes each side depending on the fleshiness of the fish.
For Sardine Fry with Green Peppercorns)
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Wash fish. Rub with salt – leave a couple of minutes and wash off thoroughly. Drain.
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Crush the green peppercorns thoroughly using a pestle and mortar or grinder (slightly grainy)
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Add the garlic cloves with skin and crush this as well till the skin is well mashed into the mixture and no longer visible. Keeping the skin on adds depth of flavor)
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Mix turmeric and salt into this mixture well.
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With hands, rub the mixture into one scored fish at a time, making sure the paste enters the slits we have cut into the fish. Rub well on both sides.
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Once all the fish is marinated. Leave aside for about 20 minutes.
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Heat coconut oil in a shallow pan, Add the fish pieces as the oil is getting hot. Bring to sizzle.
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Reduce heat and allow to fry untouched till bottom is crisped.
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Turn and fry the other side. when almost done, add the curry leaves and shake the pan, so that the leaves toss in the grits in the pan and are lightly fried.
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Keep covered with foil (once cooled) if not serving right away.
Note
To remove the smell of fried fish throughout the household..
- After frying fish, heat a clean pan and add either a spoonful of dry coffee beans or the same amount of instant coffee diluted in a little hot water to make a thick liqueur. Continue till the pan becomes smoky without burning, and this will replace the fishy smell with that of coffee.
- Try it out! Watch this video: Removing Kitchen Odors.
- Wrap cinnamon sticks loosely in aluminum foil. Place the cinnamon sticks in an oven preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. The cinnamon will remove odors and fill your home with a pleasant aroma.
- Key Ingredients: Sardines, Turmeric Powder, Oil, Garlic, Curry Leaves, Variation of Spice.
