Salaya is a popular Sri Lankan fish which is also known as healthy. ( Salaya english name : Sardinella gibbosa ) With lot of small bones, common way to cook these salaya fish is as a deep fried dish.In Sri Lanka we call this dish as ‘Malu Badala‘.However you can also cook salaya fish as a fish curry.
I like when salaya fish is deep fried. Although you can use a batter to cover the fish, this is my mom’s favourite way to deep fry salaya fish. And of course I love to taste these fried fish without batter simply because of its crunchy taste which any batter fried fish cannot give.
As always, I enjoyed my recent Sri Lanka holiday tasting some food that I can only find in Sri Lanka. In that recipe series which I enjoyed in Sri Lanka, here is the next Sri Lankan recipe. Enjoy salaya fish deep fried and without any batter.
Recipe: Salaya Fish Deep Fried (Salaya Malu Badala Recipe)
Ingredients:
250g Salaya Fish
Salt as required
Black pepper as required
Oil for deep frying
Method:
First clean the fish. Remove fins and unnecessary parts. Remove the tail too.
Wash properly and keep aside for draining water.
In a bowl add salt and crushed black pepper to the cleaned fish. Mix properly.
Keep aside for about 10 minutes.
Heat oil for deep frying.
When the oil is hot, deep fry the fish.
Fry until the fish is golden brown.
Remove from oil and keep on a kitchen towel to drain excess oil.
It is ready to serve with plain rice.
Enjoy!
How do you deep fry salaya fish? Do you use any batter or do you fry as in this recipe? Most of the time I deep fry small fish without batter.
Please share your thoughts.
