Thoplaan Sambol

THOPLAAN SAMBOL (Moor Maldive Fish Sambol) [for 12 servings]

Cooking time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

125 gms maldive fish
50 gms dried (red) chillie pieces
250 gms finely chopped red onion
1 litre cooking oil (traditionally coconut oil but soya oil is fine)
1 Tsp salt
10 curry leaves
1 2" piece cinnamon
juice of about 6 lemons or limes

Method:

Mix the maldive fish with the pieces of chillie. Chop onions and drain on kitchen paper. Deep fry in oil until it changes into a light golden colour. Drain on kitchen paper. Do not let it over cook. Deep fry the curry leaves and drain. Use a stainless steel pan and place the lemon juice, salt and spices and heat over a low fire. Add the maldive fish mixture and mix well. Add the friend onion and about 2 tsps of the oil and continue stirring until the mixture forms into a ball. Cool in pan and bottle. Store in the refrigerator.