Naadan Mathi Puliyum Mulakum

 














Sardines/Mathi are small oily fish related to herrings, commonly available in almost the entire coastal belt of India, and perhaps every region has their own version of cooking it... Needless to say, it is a very tasty fish in any form. Rich in Omega-3 oils, is considered to be a very healthy sea food. Mathi Puliyum Mulakum with hot steaming Kanji and a Pappadam is perhaps for many Keralites a favourite combo meal. Kanji or rice gruel as our LG has detailed out in her

blog

is one of the most soothing food for your tumultous intestines, tired of eating all junk food. But unfortunately there are a few Kanji enemies like my husband who are so prejudiced against 'paavam kanji' that they won't even touch it....Well, tis all matter of individual taste buds and habbits!!

Mathi Puliyum Mulakum is perhaps one of the primordial form of a hot tangy sardine curry commonly available in the North Kerala...the tanginess of the tamarind and the hot red chillies together make it really mouthwatering.As you go towards South Kerala the tamarind is often substituted by coccum(kudampuli).

Ingredients

Sardine/Mathi-150g
Red Chilli powder-1 tsp
Turmeric Powder-1/2 tsp
Paprika powder-1/2 tsp
Ginger-25g (Pounded)
Green chillies-2(slitted)
Tomato-2 medium(cut into small pieces)
Curry leaves-1 sprig
Tamarind paste-1/2tsp( or 1 small lemon size tamarind soaked in hot water and the pulp squeezed out)
Water-as required
Oil-1tbsp
Salt-1s required


Method

Clean the sardine and make some small gashes on it. Take a small deep bottomed pan.(Traditionally this is cooked in a mud pot),Add chilli powder, turmeric powder,paprika powder, ginger, green chillies,tomato, tamarind paste;gently mix this well with the sardines.Add sufficient water to cook the fish.Cover it with a lid. Cook this on medium flame till the fish is cooked and the whole mixture becomes of sauce like consistency.Now add curry leaves and oil. Cook it for another couple of minutes. Now you can serve it with rice/kanji/chappathi.There are plenty of recipes one can try with sardine like this

sandwich

[sardine]
[mathi]
[fish curry][Kerala]
[sea food]
[sardine]