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Nethili Meen Varuval Recipe ~ Nethili Fish Fry ~ Deep Fried Anchovies

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Mullai

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NETHILI MEEN VARUVAL / FRESH ANCHOVY FRY / ANCHOVY VARUVAL / CRISPY ANCHOVIES  FRY / NETHILI MEEN / NETHILI FISH FRY / FISH FRY RECIPE / NON- VEGETARIAN RECIPES / SEAFOOD RECIPES / DEEP FRIED ANCHOVIES / SOUTH INDIAN FISH FRY  / TAMIL NADU RECIPES / SOUTH INDIAN RECIPES / நெத்திலி மீன் வறுவல் / மீன் வறுவல் / INDIAN ANCHOVIES / INDIAN STYLE FISH FRY / 

Nethili Meen Varuval is a crispy fish fry which simply taste divine with a bowl of rasam sadam. Back home I use enjoy these on a regular basis as I’m die hard fan of seafood, every morning our fish monger brings in fresh catch of the day and we get to enjoy fresh fish almost thrice a week! These are fresh Indian Anchovies / Nethili meen which i got to taste during my India trip. Fresh anchovies are a rare find here in USA, managed to get quick frozen anchovies from a Oriental store, they were similar to Indian Anchovies but smaller in size though.  If using frozen, thaw them at room temperature and then proceed.
Ingredients
 10 (large) or  30 small variety  Fresh Anchovies
 1 teaspoon  Red Chili Powder
 1/2 teaspoon  Coriander Powder
 1/4 teaspoon  Turmeric Powder
 1 teaspoon  Rice Flour
 1/2 teaspoon  Ginger Garlic Paste
 1/2 teaspoon or to taste  Salt
 1/2 cup  Oil (for deep frying)
 few drops  Water
 1/4 teasppon  Corn Flour/starch (optional)

First to clean the fish, remove the head by pinching off and if you can remove the guts as well. Wash them thoroughly, strain and set aside. These are large fresh anchovies / nethili meen, we get this variety in India.

Nethili Meen Varuval 1 Nethili Meen Varuval 2

 

Marinate the fish with red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, rice flour, ginger garlic paste, salt and water. Let it stay for atleast  half hour. (You may include corn flour for extra crispy fry & to hold the masala while deep frying)

Nethili Meen Varuval 4 Nethili Meen Varuval 1

Heat oil in a kadai and deep fry them. Make sure the oil is hot enough orelse they will turn soft and start to crumble while frying. Serve with hot with sambar or rasam sadham.

Notes

  • 3 – 4  adult servings.
  • These fishes smell and taste strong, so please open all the windows before deep frying.
  • These were fresh anchovies from a local market in Chennai, India. 
  • This recipe also suits Smelt & Sardines (very strong fish flavor though)

Comments

9 responses to “Nethili Meen Varuval Recipe ~ Nethili Fish Fry ~ Deep Fried Anchovies”

  1. Traditionallymodernfood Avatar
    Traditionallymodernfood

    Being a veggie its new to me but seeing the dish I can tell how it would taste.. Looks grt

  2. kushi Avatar
    kushi

    This is so tempting and YUMMY dear. I can finish off in no time 🙂

  3. ChiefChef Avatar
    ChiefChef

    Yuks… smelts will smell like crazy when you fry them… wrong wrong choice… sardines are okay

  4. Mrs.Ram Avatar
    Mrs.Ram

    HI,

    Can I use All-purpose-flour(maida) instead of corn flour?

    1. Mullai Avatar
      Mullai

      Its just optional and you may skip it. Iam not really sure about All-purpose it might make it more hard.

  5. Praveena Avatar
    Praveena

    Hi Mullai,

    Can you please suggest which chilli powder to buy? I am using the chilli powder bought from indian store which is dark red and irritating my nose while cooking.

    Thanks,
    Praveena.

    1. Mullai Avatar
      Mullai

      Praveena, some stores carry Aachi/ Sakthi masala brands which are pretty ok. Try to get south Indian brands packed either from TamilNadu or Andhra. Thanks.

  6. bakya Avatar
    bakya

    hi mullai..
    realy nice pictures..makes me want to eat right now..

    my husband prefers shallow fry 🙁 is it ok shal i shallow fry them?

  7. Vaishnavi Avatar
    Vaishnavi

    Nice to see your posts from india as well…I’m a veggie…can’t comment on the recipe…but pics, presentation and writing….Wonderful as always from you…..

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