Dried Sprats Sambol (Side Dish)

Ingredients:

Dried Sprats (Small /White Variety) - 250g

Onions - 1 Kg

Chilli Powder - to taste

Chilli Flakes - to taste

Turmeric Powder - 1 Tsp

Lime Juice - to taste

Salt - to taste

Oil for frying

Method:

1. Finely chop the onions and set aside.

2. Remove the heads off from the sprats and break into small pieces. (Approximately of 1 cm width)

3. Pour some boiling water and rinse well. Repeat this process at least twice in order to clean the sprats. Then add chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt. Mix well.

4. In a pan, heat enough oil to deep fry. Begin by frying the onions. When they turn golden brown drain the excess oil and place them on kitchen towel.

5. Next fry the sprats just for a minute or two and remove from oil. Place that on kitchen towel to absorb the excess oil. (We do not want to over fry them as it makes the sambol taste bitter)

6. In a large dry mixing bowl add the fried ingredients along with enough lime juice, chilli flakes and salt. Mix with clean hands until the seasoning coats all of it. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

7. This can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. Makes a perfect side dish for plain rice/string hoppers.

Tip:

*This can be used in stir-fried vegetable preparations as well. It gives an added flavor.