Palakkadan Mathhi Puli (Sardines in Tamarind Gravy)

Courtesy: Manghat Surendran Menon 

Ingredients
  • Sardines (Mathhi/Chaala) Fish – 500 gms (Cleaned & cut into long pieces, No Head No tail, Slightly Slit)
  • Shallots oe Pearl Onion (Cheriyulli) – 300 gms (More for a thicker gravy)
  • Coriander seeds - 2-3 heaped tbsp
  • Dry Red Chillies - 8 to 10 (More or less according to taste)
  • Fenugreek seeds (Vendhayam/Uluva) - 1/4 tsp
  • Tamarind Paste - 2 tbsp
  • Coconut Oil - As reqd
  • Salt - As reqd.
  • Curry Leaves - 1 sprig
  • Sliced Garlic (Optional) - 3-4 bulbs


Method
  • Saute Coriander seeds and red chillies in 1 tbsp oil. 
  • Add fenugreek seeds and saute till it turns golden brown. 
  • Grind this with Shallots.( Make Fine paste)
  • Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a pan.
  • Saute fish (very careful and gently) and keep aside.
  • In a different vessel, Add the ground masala (and garlic if you are adding it), Tamarind juice and Salt.
  • Add Water and Cook till raw smell disappears
  • Add Fish and keep in Medium flame until fish is cooked.
  • Check salt levels (Adjust if necessary). 
  • Add curry leaves and 1 tbsp of coconut oil
  • Once Fish is cooked, keep in low flame for 15 mins or so (until gravy thickens a bit)
This dish is on the spicy and tangy side. Adjust tamarind levels to suit your taste buds. 
Enjoy with hot rice ( I like it with curd rice and pappadam)
The gravy for this dish is not too thick and is believed to taste better the next day. 


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