Netholi / Podimeen Varuthathu - Kerala Style Anchovy Dry Fry

Kerala Style Netholi / Podimeen / Anchovy Fry

Serves - 4

Total cooking time - 40 minutes for cleaning and marinating and 15 minutes to fry

Ingredients:-

Netholi/ Kozhuva/Anchovy - 1/2 kg

Juice of 1 lemon 

Salt 

Bowl 1

Kashmiri Red chilli powder - 1 to 1.5 tablespoon ( use as per your heat level)

Turmeric powder - 1/4 to 1/2 tea spoon

Ginger - a small piece

Garlic - 3-4 cloves

Black peppercorns - 1/2 tea spoon

Salt to taste

Bowl 2

Curry leaves

Oil as needed for frying

Directions:-

Clean and wash the fish several times.( remove the head, tail and all inside if it is not already cleaned) Marinate it with lemon juice and salt and keep it for 5 minutes.

This helps to get rid of the smell.Wash well and keep aside in a bowl.

Grind together all the ingredients in Bowl 1 to a fine paste , by sprinkling 1 or 2 tablespoons of water.

Put this paste into the bowl , add curry leaves and marinate the fish well. 

Keep aside for at least 30 minutes. If you are keeping for more than an hour , refrigerate it.

Heat oil in a deep pan and slide in the fish and fry it in batches , until it is done and dry fried.

Always keep your flame on medium, and this may take 5-10 minutes depending on the frying pan and your gas flame.Serve warm.

(Source: vazhayila.com)