Fresh Anchovy Relish
Serves 6.
Ingredients
250 g/8 oz fresh small anchovies, about 5-8 cm/2-3 in size
2 pieces dried gamboge or small knob dried tamarind or half a lime
3 tablespoons oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
sprig of fresh curry leaves
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons chilli powder
Directions
Wash the fish well, removing heads and intestines. Wash in several changes of water, adding gamboge, tamarind or lime to the washing water. Drain. Heat oil and add remaining ingredients. Fry for 5 minutes on high heat, then add anchovies, turn heat low and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve as a hot relish with rice.
Recipe excerpted from Encyclopedia of Asian Food by Charmaine Solomon (Periplus Editions, 1998)