Dear Reader !
My Nostalgia for you !
Apart from health benefits of sardine fish which we all know, its very tasty and simple to cook. (There are many links out there to find out health benefits of sardine fish)
After cleaning the fish thoroughly (please let me know if you want to know how to, I can make video and share) mix salt and rinse it off.
Add; turmeric powder, salt to taste, red chilly powder, pepper powder and some curry leaves (fresh leaves is best). Mix well and keep it aside or refrigerate for about 10 minutes.
By now, I can sail a ship in my mouth, hmmmmm….. Already smells delicious!
My grandmother (Parrukuttyamma) was a very good cook, quite fast and precise about what spices need to be added, how much time should we take to cook and most importantly after cooking whatever remains in the vessel needs to be tastier than the dish itself.
Me, who was a small little tot, used to admire the way she cleans fish. We, in our native (India, Kerala, Ottapalam, Cherupalassery) we used clean non-vegetarian in the backyard, which will be close to the kitchen. While cleaning cats and crows come to eat the remains, granny used to makes sure the cat who is demanding for her share of food is satisfied, and the crows who is waiting for her to finish cleaning is not waiting for too long. One important part was she never used to touch water until everything, which is unwanted is removed from fish, she used to do that to make sure the raw smell of fish is not spoiled. How does the raw smell of fish is spoiled? I asked curiously! She said “when the remains is mixed with water these cats and crows cant eat it fresh” Grandma used to be that precise. Cleaning using water used to be in the kitchen sink.
Time-lapse: 10 minutes done!
Our fish, which is waiting in the fridge? Lets take it out!
Important part of the preparation: Shallots, peel some shallots, grind it with green corn pepper, green chilies and little curry leaves (do not make a paste, yet grind little bit). Mix this paste with fish; make sure fish is filled with mixture. Now, add some coconut oil (yes! Coconut oil) and fry in medium flame, make sure it is not over cooked, fish shouldn't turn to be crispy.
Wow ! That aroma fills our house and neighbor’s !! Must try at home !!
Remember? I wrote about after cooking whatever remains in the vessel needs to be tastier than the dish itself? Yes, once you finish eating delicious fish fry you just made, add some white rice to the pan you just cooked fish in and mix it well, add a bit of salt if required and eat that too! Yummy! Delicious!
With Love,
Silly Girl and her Witty thoughts!