Mathi Mulakittathu / Sardine in red chilli gravy

Mathi / sardine is a very tasty and healthy fish.Sardines are rich in vitamins and minerals.Sardines are natural source of omega 3 fatty acids.This recipe is very simple.

Ingredients:

Mathi / Sardine / Chaala - 1/2 kg

Shallots / Cheriyulli/ Kochulli - 13 nos.(sliced)

Tomato - 1 big(chopped)

Garlic - 7 cloves(sliced)

Ginger - 1 inch,chopped

Green chilli - 3 nos(slit)

Turmeric powder - 1 tsp

Red chilli powder / Kashmiri chilli powder - 2 tbsp

Salt - as required

Curry leaves 

Tamarind(puli) -  a lemon sized ball(soak in water)

Coconut oil

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Fenugreek seeds / uluva - 1/2 tsp

Method:

1) Heat coconut oil in a pan / manchatti / mud pot(I used manchatti),add shallots,ginger,garlic and green chilli saute till the shallots become transparent.

2) Then add tomato and saute it well.Now add red chilli powder,turmeric powder and salt.Mix well.

3) Then add the tamarind juice,allow to boil.Add sardine / mathi and curry leaves.Adjust salt.Cover and cook in sim for 10 minutes.

4) Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds,when they start to crackle,add fenugreek seeds.Add it to the mulaku curry.