Sardine Fry (Mathi / Chala Fry)

Sardine Fry (Mathi / Chala Fry) is a family favorite. Making a perfect chala meen fry requires a perfect marination and frying technique just like my fish fry recipe. In this blog post, I am sharing how to make spicy mathi fry or chala meen fry with step by step pictures and video which taste so delicious with rice. 

Sardine fry (Chala fry)

Sardine fish also known as chala meen or mathi is a family favorite fish. We buy this at least once or twice a week. It cooks in minute and also the flavour is spot on. 

I know frying fish is one of the simplest thing you could ever imagine.But many people struggle to get it right. In this blog post, I am sharing sardine or mathi fry which turns out perfect everytime. Enjoy with Kerala matta rice.

About Sardine fry ( Mathi fry)

Sardine fish is also known as mathi meen, chala meen and is popular all over South of India. The fish itself is a small variety which soaks up the marination and the juices from the curry and the masala. Normally I make either fry or Kuzhambu using it.  But my family favorite is puliyum meenum which is a spicy tamarind chilli fish dish. 

This fish fry recipe made with sardine fish has a simple marination made with ginger, garlic, spice powders and lemon. Sometimes I add shallots when grinding ginger and garlic which imparts so much flavour.

Whenever I am frying fish, I prefer to use coconut oil which is best for the authentic taste. Also go extra with the lemon juice which removes the fishy smell and taste. 

Watch Sardine Fry Video 

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Meen Peera

Seer Fish Fry

Masala Fish Fry

Sardine fry Ingredients 

Sardine - sardines are small variety of fish. If your fish is on the bigger side, you might need to make slashes using a sharp knife for the marination to penetrate into the fish. 

Spice powders - I used Kashmiri chilli powder, black pepper powder, garam masala powder and turmeric. 

Ginger and garlic - use fresh ginger and garlic paste for the marination. 

Lemon - I always add extra lemon juice for taste. You can use vinegar instead of lemon juice. 

Curry leaves - be generous with the curry leaves. It adds an earthy flavour to the fish. Also when frying curry leaves in coconut oil, it gets crispy and delicious. 

Coconut oil - be sure to use coconut oil for frying the fish. 

My All Purpose Fish Marination Recipe

Being from Kanyakumari, a coastal town in South India. Fish is an important dish in our diet. We make it at least 3 to 4 times a week. The marination for fish which I make is simple yet perfect. I use a combination of spice powders, ginger, garlic, lemon and curry leaves. This is what a basic fish marination looks like. 

Depending on my mood, I add some peeled shallots or small onion when making ginger and garlic paste. This ingredient is optional yet it taste amazing. Using onions in marination adds a savoury taste to the fish also create a thick masala like coating for the fish. 

You don’t need rice flour, bread crumbs or sooji when making fish fry. A proper fried fish has basic masala, lemon, ginger and garlic. You can use this marination for all type of fish. Check my fish fry recipe. 

Tips for Frying fish 

Once the fish is marinated. You have to be gentle when frying fish. Fry fish in coconut oil which is the most important part. If you are allergic to coconut oil, you can opt for other oil. 

I use a well seasoned cast iron pan for frying fish. But you can use Nonstick pan for this purpose. I don’t prefer to deep fry my marinated fish, shallow fry or pan fry so the masala doesn’t separate. 

Sometimes,  I lay curry leaves in the bottom of the pan and place fish over it for frying. This way the curry leaves get crispy and creates a barrier for the fish so it doesn’t stick. 

How to Make Sardine Fry (Stepwise Pictures)

Sardines are small variety of fish. If your fish is on the bigger side, you might need to make slashes using a sharp knife for the marination to penetrate into the fish. 

Marination

1)Take ginger garlic paste in a bowl. You can add 3 to 4 shallots when making ginger garlic paste which adds a different flavour to the marination.

2)Add in lemon juice or vinegar to taste.

3)Add in Kashmiri chilli powder to the marination. This variety adds colour to the fish fry without adding too much spice.

4)Add in turmeric powder.

5)Add in garam masala powder.

6)Add in freshly ground black pepper.

7)Season the mixture with salt.

8)Add in lots of curry leaves.

9)Mix this really well. This is your marination.

Marinating Fish

10)Now add in the cleaned sardine.

11)Mix well into the marinate. Allow this to marinate for 10 minutes.

Frying Fish

12)Heat coconut oil in a nonstick pan. You don't need too much oil, we are going to pan fry the fish.

13)Place fish into the oil. Cook on high heat for 2 minutes.

14)Once the fish is seared, flip over and cook on other side for 1 minute.

15)Serve hot.

Expert tips 

• You can marinate the fish 10 minutes, 1 hour or even a day. Make sure to keep it in fridge while it is marinating. 
• You can add more black pepper powder if you prefer pepper taste than chillies.
• Fish can be cooked in any oil instead of coconut oil. 
• Use lots of curry leaves for flavour. 
• When frying fish, cook on high heat which creates a golden sear on the fish. 

Serving and Storage

You can enjoy sardine fry with hot rice, you can consume this on its own as well. 

Sardine fry taste best when served immediately piping hot. But you can store in a container for few hours. 

FAQ

Are fried sardines healthy?

Sardines has lots of health benefits in them. When fried in minimum amount of oil like coconut oil, it is relatively healthy. 

Are chala and mathi meen same?

Sardine fish is also known as chala meen in Tamil; mathi in Malayalam. It is an oily fish which is perfect for Kuzhambu or fry.

More Fish Recipes to Try

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