Anchovy(Nethli) Vada

Anchovy Vada..Anchovies, also known as nethli in Tamil, is a favorite for almost any seafood lover..Yeah, it takes some time to clean than the big fishes. But the taste it gives to the dishes is outstanding. There are enormous amount of recipes which u can make with nethli..But this traditional tasted vada is one of my favorites, which I really wanted to post here, coz this is a popular recipe of our native, served with rice usually.

As per studies, anchovies are rich in nutrients like calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, vitamins, fatty acids, cholesterol etc. But its not easy to feed this nutritious tiny bone fish to our kids, especially toddlers. Since we are grinding the anchovies here, it is easy for their intake than the anchovy curries, and I have been following this with my kid. Must try this once frnz, n u will make it often :)..

RECIPE:

--------------------------------------------

Preparation Time: 30 mins

Cooking Time: 15 mins

Serves: 11 no's(approx.)

--------------------------------------------

INGREDIENTS: [1 cup=240 ml]

--------------------------------------------

Anchovies - 1 cup

Grated coconut - 3/4 cup

Shallots - 4

Red chilli powder - 1 tsp heaped

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Saunf - 1.5 tsp

Cinnamon stick -1 medium piece

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Salt - as req.

Water - as req.

Oil - for frying

METHOD:

-----------------

1. In a blender, except the anchovies, salt, and oil, add all the remaining  ingredients one by one. Pour little water and grind for a few seconds till you get a very coarse paste.

2. Now add half of the anchovies, and grind for a few more seconds till the anchovies are coarsely ground, and is merged well with the  coconut paste.

3. Now add the remaining anchovies, salt, and grind again for a few more seconds till everything is blended to a coarse paste and is merged very well like a thick vada mix.

4. Now form round vada shapes from the vada mix, and fry them in hot oil, till it turns golden brown color on both sides. Remove from the stove, and strain to remove the excess oil. DONE!!

Your tasty traditional style anchovy vada is ready to be served for rice!! Njjoy!!

NOTE:

-----------

1. Add water little by little while grinding at step1, else you cant hold the vada shapes if the mix becomes watery. No need to add water for the following steps of grinding, or add very little water.

2. Mostly anchovies are used with bones in this recipe. Some people remove the bones too. You can follow either way.

3. Make sure not to grind too much like a fine paste, and stop once the consistency is reached.

4. If you are using a big jar blender and adding the anchovies in a single batch itself, be careful not to do over grinding.