Unakka Meen Chathachathu

 

 

 

Ingredients

1. Unakka Meen/dried fish - 250 gm / Around 10 medium pieces
2. Dried red chilies - 10 (You can use 1.5 - 2 tsp chili flakes instead)
3. Pearl onions - 10 - 15, crushed in a mortar and pestle
4. Curry leaves - 1 sprig
5. Salt - If required
6. Coconut oil - As required for frying the fish

Method

1. Soak the dried fish for 15 - 20 mts. Pat dry and keep aside.

2. Heat coconut oil in a pan. Add the dried red chilies and fry them until crisp. Drain on to a paper towel and set aside. Shallow fry the dried fish and drain on to a paper towel. Crush the fried fish pieces along with dry red chilies in a mortar and pestle.

3. To the same pan, add crushed pearl onion, 1 pinch salt and curry leaves. Saute them for  1 - 2 mts or until the raw smell of pearl onion is gone. Now add the crushed dried red chili and fish pieces and mix everything well. Taste-check for salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes at low heat. Switch off. Serve with rice/kanji.

 

 

Tips

Unakkameen / dried fish can be replaced with unakka chemmeen / dried prawns.