Vendakka Mathi Curry / Sardine Curry With Okra

Ingredients:

12-15 sardines /mathi, cleaned

6-8 vendakka / okra / ladies finger

1 cup grated coconut

5 shallots

2 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 onion, sliced

1" piece ginger, crushed

2-3 green chillies, chopped

1 tomato, chopped

2-3 tbsp tamarind pulp

few curry leaves

1 tsp fenugreek seeds/ uluva

salt to taste

2-3 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Clean and cut each sardine into 2 pieces and keep it aside.
2. Wash and chop okra into pieces / cubes and keep it aside.
3. In a pan, add grated coconut and saute for 4-5 minutes and then add shallots , curry leaves and roast until brown.
4. Then add chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder and mix well.
5. Remove it from flame and grind this roasted coconut to a smooth paste adding little water and keep it aside.
6. Heat oil in a pan and splutter fenugreek seeds. Add sliced onion and saute well till transparent.
7. Add crushed ginger, green chillies and chopped tomato to this and saute well.
8. Then add chopped okra and saute for 4-5 minutes on medium flame.
9. Add tamarind pulp and ground coconut paste and mix well. Add enough hot water and salt and let it boil.
10. Add cleaned sardines and curry leaves and cook till the gravy thickens and the fish pieces turns soft and cooked.
11. When oil starts to appear on top, switch off the flame...Serve with rice, pathiri, neer dosa etc...