Mathi Varuthathu Restaurant Style- Kerala Sardine Fish Fry, is one of the most easiest recipe. This is a traditional Kerala recipe, that you can easily find in almost all Kerala restaurants and homes. Sardines/ mathi is a popular and favorite fish of malayali. The sardine fish is one of the tastiest and cheapest fish available in Kerala.
Remove scales using a knife, cut the stomach one inch long using a a sharp knife. Pull out the waste inside with your finger and rinse well in running water. Rub the fish with salt and little lemon juice, then wash out well. Pat dry and set aside.
Make 5-6 slits on both sides of the fish and set aside.
Grind red chilly powder, kashmiri chilly powder, turmeric powder, pepper corns, garlic, ginger, shallots, lemon juice and sprinkle little water to a smooth paste. Set aside.
Apply the masala paste on the fish and do make sure to rub the masala mix inside the fish stomach and gashes. Keep it rest for 1 hour in refrigerator.( atleast 30 mins )
Heat a non stick frying pan and pour little coconut oil, when it is hot enough, add curry leaves.
Then put on the fish and shallow fry the fish on medium to low flame. Flip the fish carefully after 5- 6 minutes. Again repeat frying for 5 minutes in same temperature. Serve it along with rice and moru curry.