SRI LANKAN DRY FISH FRY(karawala thel dala)

Ingredients

• 200 g of dry fish(karawala)cut into small pieces, you can buy the cut and packed dry fish from supermarkets
• 4 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 6-8 cloves of garlic sliced fine(reduce or increase as per your need)
• 3 large onions sliced fine(reduce to two for less onions)
• 1″ of ginger minced fine
• Handful of curry leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of red chilli powder(add 1/2 a teaspoon more to make it spicy)
• Salt to season
• Half a lime juice

Instructions

1. 1

   Remove the dry fish from the package and...: Remove the dry fish from the package and soak them in water for at least 30 to 40 minutes to remove the salt layer.

2. 2

   While the dry fish soaks in water, have...: While the dry fish soaks in water, have all the necessary ingredients ready.

3. 3

   Once the dry fish are adequately soaked, squeeze...: Once the dry fish are adequately soaked, squeeze out the water and set aside.

4. 4

   Place a large frying pan over low heat...: Place a large frying pan over low heat and pour in the oil.

5. 5

   Let the oil heat for a few seconds...: Let the oil heat for a few seconds and then add, onions, garlic, ginger, and curry leaves.

6. 6

   Mix with a wooden spoon and cook for...: Mix with a wooden spoon and cook for a few minutes until they release their aroma.

7. 7

   Add turmeric powder and chilli powder to the...: Add turmeric powder and chilli powder to the onions and combine well.

8. 8

   As you cook the onions, they will reduce...: As you cook the onions, they will reduce in quantity, once this happens, move them to a side of the pan(I prefer to use a large frying pan for this purpose).

9. 9

   Now add the dry fish to the clear...: Now add the dry fish to the clear side of the pan and let them gently fry, turning them around to fry evenly.

10. 10

    Once they are fried and golden in colour,...: Once they are fried and golden in colour, combine well.

11. 11

    Remove from heat, and add a dash of...: Remove from heat, and add a dash of lime. let it cook for a few minutes and serve it warm with any of the rice and curry menu options given above.

12. 12

    If you are using a small cooking pan...: If you are using a small cooking pan or clay pot.

13. 13

    Follow the same steps to caramelize the onions...: Follow the same steps to caramelize the onions until they are crispy and golden in colour.

14. 14

    Then fry the dry fish in a thachi...: Then fry the dry fish in a thachi or kadai pan separately.

15. 15

    Once fried, add them to the caramelized onions...: Once fried, add them to the caramelized onions and combine well while tasting and seasoning as needed.