Dive into Deliciousness: Mathi Meen Varuval & Kuzhambu Cooking in the Heart of Kerala
Welcome to our culinary escapade through the misty hills of Munnar, where the air is so fresh it could outdo your morning coffee and the views are Instagram gold (if you’re into that). Today, we’re diving headfirst into the mouth-watering world of mathi meen, or as the cool kids call it, sardine fish. Prepare yourself for a fish fry that’ll make you question all your previous life choices, followed by a tangy curry that’ll make your taste buds do the cha-cha!
Ingredients:
For Mathi Meen Varuval (Fish Fry):
- 500 grams of fresh sardines (a.k.a. mathi meen)
- 2 tablespoons of red chili powder (bring the heat, baby!)
- 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder (for that golden glow)
- 2 teaspoons of coriander powder (not just for garnish, folks)
- 1 teaspoon of cumin powder (the spice of life)
- Salt to taste (not too salty, we don’t want tears in our curry)
- Juice of 1 lemon (the zing that’ll bring it all together)
- ½ cup of cold-pressed gingelly oil (because we like to keep it fancy)
- A handful of curry leaves (for that aromatic twist)
For Mathi Meen Kuzhambu (Fish Curry):
- 500 grams of sardines (again, more sardines, more fun!)
- 1 large onion, chopped (get ready to cry)
- 2 tomatoes, chopped (as juicy as your gossip)
- 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste (the tang club)
- 2 tablespoons of red chili powder (because one is never enough)
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder (golden magic)
- Salt to taste (we’ve covered that already, right?)
- 2 cups of water (for that soupy goodness)
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing (looking at you, gourmet chef)
Instructions:
For Mathi Meen Varuval:
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Marinate the Sardines: Grab those sardines and give them a lemony spa treatment! In a bowl, mix the chili, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and salt. Massage that spice mix onto the fish like you’re a yoga instructor. Let sit for about 30 minutes. (Don’t worry, they’re not getting a yoga class; they’re just absorbing all those flavors!)
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Heat the Oil: In a heavy pan, heat that glorious gingelly oil. You want it hot enough to sizzle but not so hot that it looks like you’ve set the kitchen on fire — unless that’s your style.
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Fry the Fish: Once the oil is hot, gently slide in the marinated sardines. Fry until they’re golden brown and crispy. You’ll know they’re done when your neighbors come knocking, asking what the heavenly smell is!
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Finish with Curry Leaves: Toss in the curry leaves towards the end of frying for that aromatic explosion.
For Mathi Meen Kuzhambu:
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Sauté the Onions: In a separate pot, heat some more gingelly oil (because why not?). Toss in the chopped onions and sauté until they are translucent — about as clear as your plans for the weekend.
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Add Tomatoes: In goes the chopped tomatoes! Let them mingle until they’re mushy and in love.
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Spice it Up: Time for that magical red chili powder and turmeric. Stir and let that spice blend join the party for about a minute.
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Tamarind Time: Add the tamarind paste and water. Give it a good stir and let it simmer. Your kitchen should be smelling so good, it might as well have a following!
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Drop in the Sardines: Now, carefully add the fried sardines. Let them soak in the curry goodness for about 10 minutes. Remember, we’re not trying to drown them; we want them to swim gracefully!
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Garnish: Top off this delicious mess of flavors with some fresh coriander leaves and look at how pretty it is!
The Final Feast:
Serve your crispy mathi meen varuval alongside the flavorful mathi meen kuzhambu, all over a bed of steaming hot rice. Enjoy this culinary masterpiece while breathing in the fresh mountain air, and remember — calories don’t count when you’re on a hilltop!
So there you have it, folks! A delightful sardine fish fry and curry straight from the beautiful hills of Kerala. Dive in and let the flavors take you on a trip. Because in the world of cooking, just like in life, it’s all about the spices!
Watch the video by Village Cooking Channel
Video “FISH | Sardines Fish Recipe | Mathi Meen Varuval & Kuzhambu Cooking in Village | Fish Fry & Curry” was uploaded on 08/21/2025 to Youtube Channel Village Cooking Channel