Dharmajan's ever-growing love for seafood

Actor Dharmajan Bolgatty who entertains the Malayali audience with his impeccable comic timing is a self-confessed foodie who loves to try out different dishes and cuisines. However, when it comes to sea food, the actor has a special affinity to fresh fish and the delicious sea food delicacies. It was this love for fish that inspired him to open 'Dharmoos Fish Hub' at Ayyapankavu, Ernakulam, a sea food store which is dedicated to selling fresh fish.

The store, a collaboration of 12 close friends, now has outlets at many places around the district. "I love walking through a fish market more than visiting a beautiful garden. I really enjoy roaming around just watching the freshly caught sardines and mackerels. I opened the store only out of my love for sea food. I have no intention to make too much profit from it or become extremely rich. There are a few friends who are sea food lovers just like me. Along with them, I am doing something which I love," says Dharmajan.

Dharmajan vows that he isn't ashamed to open 'Dharmoos Fish Hub' as he had contemplated selling fish on the wayside, years ago, when he wasn't financially secure. He didn't venture into fish business on the spur of the moment. Dharmajan had taken over two prawn fields in auction and grow fresh prawns there. Mushrooms are produced on a commercial basis, and he works closely with local fishermen. Besides, good quality fishes are grown in two huge tanks as well. Dharmajan says that his dream is to sell fresh fish to his customers.

The actor revealed that many big businessmen have requested for franchisee of the store, for their children to run it. However, he gives it only to his close friends as he had opened the store mainly for his own love for sea food and not just to make money.

Favourite fish

Though Dharmajan loves to explore the various tastes and flavours in fish delicacies, he is particularly drawn to small fishes like glassy perchlet (nandan), anchovies, and orange chromide (pallathi). He also likes to have freshwater fish like tilapia and pearl spot. Dharmajan says that shrimp is a really tasty crustacean which no one is willing to buy much as it is difficult to clean. So, he had appointed a few workers at his store outlets to clean prawns and shrimp, making it easy for the customers.

Dhamajan’s own 'Kidukkan Pallathi' curry

Dhamajan calls this recipe 'kidukkan pallathi' curry incredibly easy-to-make, especially when guests show up unannounced.

Ingredients

Cleaned orange chromide (pallathi)

Shallots

Green chillies

Turmeric powder,

Chilli powder

Malabar tamarind

Salt

Coconut oil

Preparation

Heat coconut oil in a chatty and add crushed shallots

Sauté well

Add green chillies, turmeric powder, and chilli powder

Soak the Malabar tamarind in 2 glasses of water

Add the tamarind along with the water into the masala

Add salt as required

When the gravy begins to boil, add the cleaned orange chromide fish

Stir well and cook until the gravy reduces

The thick gravy should be coated well over the fishes.