Pabda Macher Jhol ( Indian butter fish cooked with poppy and mustered seeds) Bengali cuisine

When I  saw Pabda fish for the first time some how I did not like it. So I cooked the fish for my family but I did not have it. But when next time I again cooked this fish my husband told me to just taste it. first I was not convinced but for his sake I had a bite and dont tell me it was awesome the texture of the fish was so buttery and it justifies its name Indian butter fish .
Generally people go for the whole fish but I get them cut into pieces because my little one loves to eat in small pieces.

So here we go with the traditional Bengali recipe which I have learnt from my In-laws..

Ingredients:-

For the marinade:-

• Pabda - 1/2 Kg 
• Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Oil - for frying

For the Gravy

Tomato - 1 ( Finely chopped)

• Nigella Seeds - 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder-1tsp
• Kashmiri Chili Powder -1 tsp
• Coriander Powder -1tsp
• Cumin Powder - 1tsp
• Salt - to taste.

Procedure -

• First wash the fish and sprinkle turmeric and salt over it and mix it well 
• Keep the fish aside 
• Now Make the paste of mustered seeds and poppy seeds separately .
• Switch on the gas and keep a pan over it and add oil for frying.
• Now when the oil is hot enough to fry add the fish pieces one by one and fry them until golden in color on low flame  and be careful this fish tends to get stick to bottom of the pan.
• Now keep the fish aside.
• For the gravy add  nigella seeds  in the same oil and let them splutter
• Now add chopped tomato and mix them well once the tomatoes are soften then add all the masalas and little bit of water and cover it on low flame.
• After few minutes add poppy seeds paste and stir them well and cook for 5 minutes.
• Now add Mustered Paste and stir well and add little bit of water and cover it.
• Once the oil starts separating add the fried fish and mix it well and let the fish cook in the gravy.
• If you want little thick gravy do not add water but if you want to eat it with rice you will need little more gravy add little bit of water and cover it and let it cook for 5 more minutes.
• Now add salt as per your taste but before adding the salt just remember that while marinating the fish we have already added the salt so be little careful.
• Your Pabda is ready to serve 
• Tastes good with Steamed Rice..

Happy cooking !