Today’s lunch is kappa, fish curry (seer fish in coconut milk) and sardine fry. Sardine is very healthy to eat but i don’t think whether it is safe to eat fried fish.
Sardine in Malayalam is called “Maththi” or Neyy Maththi. It is a not a favorite to many people due to its fishy smell but it is a power house of many nutrients like CoQ10 ( a Coenzyme Q10 which is found in body’s cell), Omega-3 fatty acids (which reduces the triglyceride levels and play a role in preventing dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities), vitamin B12, selenium, protein, phosphorus and vitamin D. It is safe to eat since sardines makes them less likely to have accumulated toxins such as mercury due to its small size.
Here in Bangalore, we get fresh sardines for Rs. 40-50 per Kg. In Kerala, normally sardine is not consumed on a regular basis in my home because of its smell but my husband likes it very much and now, I also love to eat.
How to prepare Sardine fry?
Ingredients:
- Sardine – 5 no’s (300 gms)
- Ginger-Garlic paste – 2 tsp
- Peppercorns – 10-12 no’s (freshly crushed)
- Red chilly powder – 1-2 tsp
- Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
- Salt to taste
- Coconut oil/ cooking oil – 2 tbsp
- Curry leaves – 3-4 sprigs
Method of Preparation:
- Remove scales and clean the fish, make gashes (long deep cut in the flesh) and wash and drain
- Make a smooth paste of ginger-garlic paste, red chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt
- Mix it with freshly crushed peppercorns and marinate the fish for 1 hour
- Heat a non-stick pan, arrange curry leaves, pour oil on it
- Arrange fish in the oil when it heated, fry both the sides until it is done well
- Drain the excess oil and serve it with rice, kappa, roti or anything of your choice
