Karawala Thel Dala (Sri Lankan Dried Fish Fry)

This is a popular Sri Lankan recipe which most Sri Lankans love to eat with plain rice. Dried fish is easily available in most parts of Sri Lanka. Therefore same as with fresh fish, there are different  recipes to cook with dried fish too. In Sinhala language, we call this dish as Karawala Baduma or Karawala thel dala. Basically it is a salted fish stir-fry cooked with onion and chili.

Other way to cook Dried Fish stir-fry (Karawala Baduma/Karawala thel dala)

Previously I shared Karawala Baduma recipe which I started deep frying the dried fish. In that way you ensure not to burn dried fish pieces. However it is a little bit time consuming and few steps involved. If you are a cook like me and want to find the shortest way to cook, then below is the easy karawala baduma recipe which you can finish cooking in few easy steps. However be sure to not to burn karawala pieces.

How to Store Dried fish? (Storing Karawala)

If you live in Sri Lanka, you may not have many issues in storing dried fish. Basically you can easily buy dried fish or karawala as and when need in small quantities. However living in another country, I usually buy few packs of different types of dried fish whenever we visit Sri Lanka. Few years ago, storing these in good condition was an issue for me.

How I store dried fish for few months without having fungus on it?

It is simple. Cover the dried fish packets in plastic bags or freezer bags.Keep in the freezer section of refrigerator. Dried fish will remain fresh and good for longer time. The longest duration I have tried is around 8-9 months.

If you try this method or if you know other easy ways for modern Sri Lankan  kitchens, let me know as a comment.

Here is the recipe for Karawala Baduama, another easy Sri Lankan fish recipe.

Karawala Thel Dala recipe / Dried fish stir-fry

Ingredients

50g dried fish (Tuna or similar fish)

1 medium sized onion

3-4 Green chillies

1 sprig of curry leaves

1 inch piece Rampe (Pandan leaf)

¼ tspn mustard seeds

¼ tspn turmeric powder

1 tspn chili flakes

1 inch piece cinnamon stick

Oil to fry

Salt as required

Method

Step 1: Preparation

Wash dried fish. Remove the skin if there is any.

Squeeze and Drain water.

Cut into small bite size pieces. Keep aside.

Slice onion thinly. Slice green chilies lengthwise and keep aside.

Step 2: Cooking

In a frying pan  heat about 1-2 tbspn oil.

Add mustard seeds when oil is hot and allow spluttering.

Then add dried fish to the oil and fry.

When dried fish pieces are almost fried add onion, curry leaves and green chili. Add rampe piece too.

Mix well.

When onion is tender, add turmeric powder to the stir-fry and mix well.

Finally add chili flakes to the stir-fry and mix well.

Add a pinch of salt to the onion mix if you think it is necessary. Usually it is not necessary as dried fish is already with salt.

Allow few seconds to fry and remove from the cooker.

Dried fish stir fry or Sri Lankan Karawala Baduma is ready to serve with plain rice and other sides.

Other Karawala Recipes

Below are some other dried fish recipes I’ve shared before.

Karawala curry

Karawala baduma