Shorshe Bata diye Ilish Macher Jhol (Hilsa Fish cooked in Mustard Gravy) Bengali cuisine

If you are a True Heart Bengali You cannot live without Ilish ( Hilsa) Like  Human cannot live without Oxygen same way a Bengali cannot live without taking Hilsa . Thats what I have come to know the very fact about Bengalis. It is said that only  Bengalis know the art of eating hilsa while talking. and one more thing about Hilsa is that nothing is  waste. from shells to its oil every thing is used and very tasty. 

it is totally your choice that u want to eat fried Hilsa or the steamed one both way its delicious.

For frying u just need to marinade the fish for at least half an hour with turmeric and salt then deep fry in mustard oil.This fish is high in fat and the oil which is remained after frying the fish that can be used in cooking other vegetables.

Cooking Hilsa in Shorher ( Mustard Paste ) is the traditional Bengali way however its up to u how u want to make other experiments too.

Ingredients:-

Hilsa - 4 to 5 pieces.

Turmeric Powder 1 tsp

Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp ( preferably degi mirch) it will bring beautiful color to it

Mustard Paste - 2 tsp

Panch Phoron - Mix of 5 spices  i.e ( Fenugreek Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Nigella Seeds, Cumin Seeds and Mustard Seeds) - 1 tsp

Green Chillies Slit - 4 to 5 ( If u like less spicy add 2 to 3 chillies)

Mustard Oil - 2 tbsp

Garlic Cloves - 4 to 5

Salt to taste

How to Marinade Fish

Wash the Fish thoroughly then apply salt and turmeric powder to it and leave it for half an hour

How to make mustard Paste

Grind Mustard seeds along with Garlic Cloves on stone grinder ( if you don't have one u can make paste in a mixer ) Remember it should be very fine.

How to make Hilsa in Mustard Paste

Its totally up to u if u dont like steamed Hilsa then u can fry it and then pour it into the curry made of Mustard Paste.

Steps
1 - Pour Mustard Oil in a thick bottom pan and let the oil get hot

2 - put paanch phoron Mix in a hot oil add slit green chillies and the Mustard Paste

3- add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder and salt to it and a cup of water then stir and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes

4 - add the marinated Hilsa pieces to it , simmer the gas stir the pieces let them fry for 2 to 3 minutes.

5 - add 2 to 3 cups of water to it and let it boil for 10 to 14 minutes on a low flame.Just Cover the lid.

After 10 min your Hilsa is ready to serve .

Serve with steaming hot rice 

Suggestion:- Its totally up to u if u don't like steamed Hilsa then u can fry it and then pour it into the curry made of Mustard Paste.

Happy cooking.