Crispy Crunchy Nethili Meen Fry

Tiny fish smothered with spices, deep fried, yes deep fried in oil is delicacy called Nethili Meen in India. On my recent trip in March, I ate a lot of Nethili and when I got back to the States, naturally I wanted to recreate the dish for my family and for me. Searched for Nethili at the wharf, Asian markets, and the closest fish I could find to Nethili was Smelt, so Smelt it is! Husband and I smothered the fish with spice, marinated overnight and just before frying we added some rice flour to crisp the fish and we waited with bated breath, fingers crossed hoping that the smelt would taste like the  Nethili we love. Ah it was great! The first round of smelt fish did not even make it to dinner table! All the four of us were eating it off the plate fresh off the fire. Since then, I have made Nethili aka Smelt several times and it never fails to satisfy the palate. Friends who have tried my fried smelt have asked for the recipe so thought I would blog it today. I have not blogged on a year and a half …aiyoo Do not ask. Between Covid, my father’s passing last August I just lost the will to blog. But seems like I am back, so let us see how that goes! From my kitchen to yours – Nethili Meen Fry

Nutrition Wise  – Fried Smelt is super high in calcium, thanks to the crunchy bones which are chewed with the rest of the fish. This dish is also high in iron, protein, omega three and lots of Vitamin D. Smelt is exceptionally low in Mercury making it a great seafood choice for pregnant and nursing women who should avoid high mercury fish.

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Nethili Meen Fry

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Smelt
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ginger powder
• oil to fry
• 1/2 cup Rice Flour
• 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Mix all dry ingredients except rice flour and mix into fish. Marinate few hours in the refrigerator

2. Heat oil. Roll the marinated fish lightly in rice flour. Deep fry till crisp

3. Remove fried fish and drain on paper towel

4. Sprinkle lemon juice before serving

On a personal note ( if you do not want to read my rant you could just check out the recipe and leave :)) I took another of my Social Media Breaks and as expected it was very refreshing! If you have never gone cold turkey on social media for a period, I highly recommend it. There is something totally rejuvenating about not checking social media and just interacting the old-fashioned way like we did before we had social media. Of course, some folks have jobs that require them to be on social media  so it may not be possible but if you can, it’s  an experience worth trying. Taking time to smell the roses so to speak.

Anyway, kind of back now the past week, just grazing … a little bit here and there. To be entirely honest I do not really miss social media on a regular basis. Sometimes I feel I just get back on to check on my friends and family  and catch up on what is going on in their lives. It may be a phase I am going through and may sound selfish but it is what it is. I just can’t be on too long. However if you meet me in real life, I am the same friendly gal, just not very social media responsive of late.

For those of you who enquired and wondered if I was all right? Asking If I was hiding in the basement, retreating into a tortoise shell etc. etc., thank you for your concern. It may seem like that to you but heck no! This girl is happy healthy, busy living life up to her bees’ knees : just not posting much except for some random IG stories. Like most of us I am having an extremely  busy summer :  Visited some family which was uber awesome meeting cousins, I had not seen in 2 years. Going on weekend getaways to quaint spots with my husband which I really love and enjoy. My husband gets two additional “ Use it or Lose It “ Fridays / month and we have been taking weekend trips here and there. My girls are both home and spending lazy evenings with them eating sushi, playing board games, watching TV shows is precious time spent I do not take for granted. Been investing some time into my herb/vegetable garden and learning how to grow deer resistant flowers etc. Job wise collaborating with new clients setting up food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens is exciting and I am really enjoying that. This week I am in the middle of coordinating snacks at VBS at church and busy busy living life. Hoping you all are having an awesome summer too. Thanks so much for stopping by. Love and Hugs XO!

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