Netholi Thoran or Netholi Peerapattichathu

Netholi or Anchovy thoran is a specialty of Kerala. The fish is an all time favorite that can be made into a dry fry with grated coconut, or fried with chilly powder and turmeric or even tried out as curries for the lunch. Netholi fish is rich in calcium and is good for your health. Though we find it irritating to have the fish bone in the thoran, the flesh is otherwise tasty and loved by all. You can take out the bone when you clean the fish. But most of us prefer to have the bones and there is no harm in consuming it too.

Netholi thoran or Netholi peerapattichathu is a very simple yet tasty dish that can be prepared within minutes. All you need is some grated coconuts, chilly powder, turmeric powder, onions and ginger garlic with a dash of oil and the right amount of salt to taste better.

I always remember my Mom cooking this delicacy for us when we were kids, and to be frank, I really loved it very much. When I was a child, i thought there was magic in her hands, and whatever she made tasted yummy. So here you go the recipe of Netholi Peerapattichathu right for you folks.

Ingredients

• Netholi fish (Anchovy fish)- 500 gms
• Onion - 1 large
• Shallots - 2 or 3
• Chillies  -  2 medium
• Coconut (Grated) -1/2 cup
• Chilly powder - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Tamarind  OR(Kudampuli/ Gambooch) - If you choose 1/4 tsp Tamarind paste and if you prefer                                                                        Gambooch, prefer to take a small piece. Make sure                                                                            you do not add too much of tamarind or Gambooch
• Vinegar  - a dash
• Salt        - according to your taste
• Coconut oil- 2 tsp

Method

1. Clean the fish well
2. Grind coconut with Chilly powder, turmeric and shallots. Do not make it to a paste.
3. In the pan you are planning to cook, add the fish, coconut masala, vinegar, tamarind/Gambooch, chopped onions, green chillies, ginger garlic paste, salt and oil. Mix well. This procedure is done just before placing the pan to the stove.
4. Switch on the gas stove and place the pan with the fish that is mixed with the masala. You may add 3 tbs of water for the fish to cook.
5. Close the lid and allow the fish to cook well. This will take for around 10 to 15 mnts
6. After the fish is cooked well, check whether the water is completely dried out. If not, carefully increase the flame and dry out the water completely.
7. Serve hot with rice.

This is a very tasty side dish that is loved by all in Kerala. Well of course those who prefer vegetarian food alone say a No to this wonder dish. You may find other methods of making netholi thoran other than this one. So I am not saying that this is the only method of making a netholi thoran.