Unakka Manthal is a delicious, crispy fish fry famous all over Kerala. Fish is an excellent source of protein and this toothsome fry is made with the delectable flatfish, sole, known as manthal in Malayalam. The flaky texture and delicate flavor of sole is perked up with a spicy, zingy rub and then pan-fried with a liberal seasoning of black pepper and with the flavor of grinded shallots. This can be served as a side dish or as a appetizer too.
Clean the soaked Unakka Maanthal (Nangu Fish) by removing the head, tail and skin. Wash properly and cut into medium size pieces and keep the pieces separately.
Clean Black Pepper and grind it in granule form without adding water.
Peel the Shallots/Onion and grind it. Add Turmeric Powder, Black Pepper Granules and Salt into the grinded Shallots/Onion and mix it well and keep this paste aside.
Add the Fish pieces into the paste (prepared with Shallots/Onion, Pepper Granules, Turmeric Powder and Salt), mix the Paste with the Fish pieces well and keep it separately for some time
Heat a Frying Pan/Cheenachatti, apply some Oil and then change the Masala coated Fish pieces into the Frying Pan/Cheenachatti and fry one side of the Fish pieces first and then turn the pieces into other side and fry that side also.
When both sides of the Fishes are fried properly, put off the stove and change the fried Fish pieces into a serving plate, garnish the fried Fish pieces with Onion/Shallot pieces and serve it as and when required.
written by
SobhaKesavan
Myself, Sobha Kesavan, a retired Accountant in a MNC based in Delhi, where I was staying for 26 years. Afterwards, moved to Bangalore and stayed there for about 4 years and then shifted to my native place ( in Thrissur district), Kerala, along with my husband. My two sons and both daughters-in-law are working out of Kerala as Software Engineers.
I have immense passion for gardening and have been doing it since my stay in Delhi and most of
the ingredients (vegetables) used in my recipes are home grown. I am interested in cooking mostly North Indian and South Indian cuisines. The recipes shared in pachakam.com from my end would definitely tickle your taste buds.
I will be always looking forward for your valuable feedbacks or suggestions as there is always room for improvement.
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