Machhere Jhol (Bengali Fish Curry)

Description

A delicate Bengali fish curry. In India, the best parts of a fish are often reserved as a fillet and served grilled, broiled, or cooked alongside a fish stew or curry containing the less attractive portions of fish. The contrasting texture combination is worth trying at your dinner table.

Ingredients

  • 2 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 pounds thick whitefish fillets, cut into large chunks
  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon black cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
  • ¼ teaspoon fenugreek seeds

Instructions

  1. Bring the tomatoes
  2. cumin
  3. turmeric
  4. salt
  5. and water to a boil in a four quart saucepan; reduce heat to medium and maintain a simmer.
  6. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; cook the fish in the oiled skillet until golden brown
  7. 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the fish to the saucepan.
  8. Heat a separate skillet over medium heat
  9. and toast the mustard seeds
  10. cumin seeds
  11. black cumin seeds
  12. fennel seeds
  13. and fenugreek seeds until fragrant
  14. just a few seconds. Stir the spices into the saucepan. Simmer until the flavors integrate
  15. about 10 minutes more. Serve hot.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Servings: 4

Leave a Comment