Clean the fish and gash closely.

Grind together chilli, garlic, ginger, onion, pepper and mustard along with salt.

Rub the ground masala onto the fish and marinate for a while.

Pour small quantities of oil at a time in a heavy skillet.

Fry the fish on both sides over a low fire.

Spicy Mathi fry / Chala Fry is ready, serve it hot. The crispiness for Sardines fry can vary from person to person. Some likes it very crispy. I personally likes it little soft so that the whole masala and the flavour of the fish can be tasted.