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Fish Croquettes

Fish Croquettes (Maacher Chop, Bengali Style)

Fish Croquettes. Delectable bhetki stuffing in spiced mashed potato cases. Crumb-fried to a gorgeous golden. Heavenly with a cup of steaming chai or coffee.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine Anglo Indian, Bengali

Ingredients
  

For the stuffing

  • 5 pieces bhetki or sea bass steaks
  • 1 onion quatered
  • 2 big onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 3 green chilies finely chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 2 green cardamom
  • 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 1/4 tsp sugar (optional)
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • salt to taste

For the potato cases

  • 3 medium potaoes boiled and mashed
  • 1 tsp black pepper powder
  • salt to taste

For assembling and frying the croquettes

  • 1 egg whipped
  • 1 tbsp plain flour
  • breadcrums for coating
  • oil for frying

Instructions
 

For the fish stuffing

  • Add the fish steaks, onion quarters, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaves, crushed green cardamom, cinnamon, a generous sprinkle of salt and a cup of water to a pressure cooker. Cook over a high flame, one whistle I would reckon. Allow to cool down on its own.
  • Carefully debone the fish steaks, mash the fish. Keep aside.
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in pan, add the chopped onions and garlic, fry till a gorgeous golden.
  • Add the chopped green chillies, saute for a minute or two.
  • Add the mashed fish, tomato ketchup, salt and sugar. Cook over a low flame, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes.
  • Allow to cool to room temperature.
  • Form 10 oval roundels, keep aside.

Assembling and frying the Fish Croquettes

  • Sprinkle a little salt and black pepper to the mashed potatoes, mix well. Divide the potatoes into 10 equal portions.
  • Take one portion of mashed potato in the palm of your hand, make a well in the center.
  • Place a portion of the fish filling in the potato well, bring the corners of the potato case together and cover the fish stuffing. (It should be a very thin coating of mashed potato over the fish stuffing.)
  • Gently shape into a croquette as I have done.
  • Roll the croquettes over flour, dip into whipped egg and roll over breadcrumbs. Keep aside in the refrigerator to set, 30 odd minutes is good enough.
  • Heat oil in pan, deep fry till golden.
  • Keep on a kitchen absorbent towel to soak up the extra oil.
  • Serve hot with tomato ketchup.