Meen Barthadu

Meen Barthadu

(Deep fried fish. Popular in Coorg Cuisine)

Serves - 4

Time required – 20 minutes plus marinating time

Ingredients

12 mackerels, cleaned, washed and slit lengthwise

4 teaspoon chilli powder (or make a smooth paste with 8 dried red chillies & 1 1/2 teaspoon thick tamarind paste, soak red chillies in 1/4 cup water for half an hour)

1 ½ teaspoon thick tamarind paste

Salt to taste (or 1 3/4 to 2 teaspoons)

1 ½ teaspoon turmeric powder

200 ml oil for frying

Method

Wash and clean fish. Drain out water completely and wipe each fish with a kitchen towel.

In a bowl, mix chilli powder, turmeric powder, tamarind paste and salt. Make a thick paste. Do not add water while making the paste.

Marinate fish pieces with above marinade and set aside for one hour.

Heat the oil in a flat frying pan. Reduce the heat to medium and deep fry fish (4 - 6 fish at a time) till brown color and crisp on both the sides. Drain and place on kitchen towel to absorb extra oil.

Serve with Rice.