Mathi Mulakilittathu - Malabar Sardine Curry

Malabar Sardine Curry 
 

Ingredients
500 g sardine
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric
Salt to taste
****
1 tsp cumin seeds
An onion (chopped)
2 shallots (chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (chopped & crushed)
A small piece of ginger (chopped & crushed)
A tomato(chopped)
A green chilli (half slit)
 1 tsp Kashmir chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
Lemon size tamarind pulp
 Cumin powder
Curry leaves 
Salt to taste
Oil for frying
Method

Marinate fish with chili,turmeric & salt & keep aside.
***
Soak tamarind in water & keep aside for 10 min.
Extract the juice.
***
Heat oil in pan  & fry onions+ shallots.  
When light brown, add garlic-ginger paste& green chilli.
Add red chilli powder , turmeric powder & salt .
Stir & then add chopped tomatoes.
Fry for a while & then add tamarind extract.
Close the lid & cook for 5 mn.
When the tomaoes are cooked, add marinated sardines.
Simmer & cook for another 5mn.
Garnish with cumin powder  & curry leaves.
Just swirl the vessel & remove from fire.
Serve with rice.