May 2019 – Men Can Make Homes

Thanx a lot for the amazing response we have to this wonderful new initiative from my loved one. Do check this out too and follow, there will surely be great posts rolling here .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmtCkBgnsCo

https://www.facebook.com/gunnmaymarwaha

Here’s another anchovy recipe which just dished itself out from whatever I could manage on one summer evening. As I state, I had some half plateful of anchovy fillet with me and most of my kitchen replenishment pending. So I chopped some fresh basil from my garden and squeezed some tamarind from an almost over pouch and dished this yummy snack. Just used pinch or teaspoonfuls of other spices so as to not to take the thrill out of the crunchy fried fillets.

Try these and prepare a blockbuster snack for yourself !!

Ingredients of Anchovy Fillet in Basil & Tamarind Sauce

Anchovy Fillet in Basil & Tamarind Sauce

….need to know (food details)

Number of people served : 3 to 4.
Preparation time : 30 minutes
Serving size : 5 to 6 forkful each.

….and we need (ingredients)

Anchovy fillet, 500 grams : These are extremely pungent on their own so need good cooking. It’s rich in proteins and Omega 3 fatty acids as well.
Salt, 3/4th teaspoon : Use the coarse sea salt for authenticity and it’s minerals.
Oil, 2 tablespoons, to pan fry : I do not mind mustard oil here due to it’s pungency. Works well with these fries.
Raw Mango Powder (Amchoor), 1 teaspoon : Amchoor is a sour, fruity spice which is a good antacid and antioxidant. I add it here since the kids would love anything with amchoor in it.
Nigela seeds, 1/3rd teaspoon : It’s called kalonji in Indian kitchens and is packed with antibacterials, antioxidants, anti inflammatory. It has a slight bitter, onion like flavor.
Mustard seeds, yellow, 1 teaspoon : Mustard tastes from sweet to sour, bitter to steaming hot. But it’s great for digestion and respiration and strengthens bones and teeth. I use it here for the bitter sour essence.
Tamarind paste, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon : Tamarind manages body heat well and helps in weight loss and heart regulation. It boosts digestion and immunity. Tamarind brings tanginess in the dish.
Coriander seeds, 3/4 teaspoon : With a warm, nutty and orange essence the coriander seeds are great for eyes, digestion, joints, skin and abdomen.
Star Shaped Anise, 2 : It has a strong licorice essence and helps in digestion.
Sweet Basil, 1 bunch : In this I used sweet or Genovese basil leaves which I pluck-wash at my garden. Basil is the “King of Herbs” for many reasons. It is a strong anti oxidant. It fights virus, bacteria and other microbes in the body. I grow 4 to 5 types of basil in my garden and am always looking for new things to do with it.

….time to cook ‘n roll (preparing instructions)

Wash the anchovy (really well) x 2 . Means twice at least. Else you might feel the mud in your fries.
Roast all the dry spices ( mustard, coriander seeds, anise, raw mango powder and nigela) and grind them dry in a mortar pestle.
Coat the fillet with this powder.
Now heat a pan and put oil in it to vaporizing stage.
Add the roughly chopped basil in it and cook for about 2 minutes on medium flame.
Lay in your coated fish fillet now.
Cook for a further 5 minutes on medium heat. Do turn the fillet twice but gently. As they cook, they turn vulnerable to breaking as well.
When they feel almost cooked, splatter your panned fish with tamarind paste and salt and cook further for 4 minutes till absolutely well done.
Take off and serve hot.
Serve with some refrigerated cherries or litchis to get a tropical kick !

Storage : No Way, Jose !! Storing will make it loose the crunch.

Missing Something ? : I would allow you to grind in some curry leaves and mix the in the tamarind paste !!

Thanx a lot for the amazing response we have to this wonderful new initiative from my loved one. Do check this out too and follow, there will surely be great posts rolling here .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmtCkBgnsCo

https://www.facebook.com/gunnmaymarwaha

I’ve always been intrigued by these so called surplus fish, relegated to side dishes and sauces only. My challenge has been to bring anchovy to the main platter. Yes, it’s a challenge to chew in the bones if you are/have a kid but not much so at all if the frying is appropriate.

Crossing my fingers I went ahead with this one, the fish being a mud sucker makes it a challenge to clean as well.

Trust me, it was all worth it. In a matter of minutes, was a very tasty, crunchy fish fritters there could be. Party On !

Ingredients of Deep Fried Anchovy

Deep Fried Anchovy

….need to know (food details)

Number of people served : 3 to 4.
Preparation time : 20 minutes
Serving size : Bowlfuls each.

….and we need (ingredients)

Anchovy, 500 grams : These are extremely pungent on their own so need good cooking. It’s rich in proteins and Omega 3 fatty acids as well.
Salt, 3/4th teaspoon : Use the coarse sea salt for authenticity and it’s minerals.
Oil, 1 cup, to deep fry : I do not mind mustard oil here due to it’s pungency. Works well with these fries.
Paprika, 1 teaspoon : Light and bitter with good amount of vitamin e and a strong antioxidant.
Black Pepper Powder, 1/3rd teaspoon : Good proportion of salt and pepper are great anti oxidants too.
White Flour, 1/2 cup : This is just clarified wheat flour. While it’s very friendly to cook with, it’s a zero benefit batter since it gets stripped of all it’s nutrients while it is being cleaned repeatedly.

….time to cook ‘n roll (preparing instructions)

Wash the anchovy (really well) x 2 . Means twice at least. Else you might feel the mud in your fries.
Sprinkle the paprika, black pepper powder and the salt and mix well with the anchovies.
Sprinkle the white flour (clarified wheat flour) over the fish and coat well so as to form a batter covering.
Now heat the oil in a pan and bring to evaporation (i.e. till you see fumes).
Put in the anchovies in the pan taking care that they do not stick to each other.
Deep fry now till they look golden brown in color.
Serve hot with your favorite ketchups or chutneys and enjoy the sumptuous treat.

Storage : Storing will make it loose the crunch.

Missing Something ? : You can add some dried basil to the flour. Squeezing a lemon would work wonders as well !!