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Doodh ilish

Doodh Ilish (Hilsa in Milk)

Doodh Ilish. Ilish cooked in milk. Just a throw of kalonji, some wicked green chillies and a luxuriant drizzle of mustard oil. Simple yet eclectic.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Bengali

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces Ilish or hilsa
  • 1.5 cup milk
  • 0.5 tsp nigella seeds or kalonji
  • 1.5 tsps turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 3-4 green chillies slit
  • 3 tbsp mustard oil
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the fish with turmeric and salt.
  • Dissolve the remaining turmeric powder and red chili powder in a little water and keep aside.
  • Heat oil in a pan, shallow fry the fish. If the ilish is indeed very fresh, you need not fry it.
  • To the same pan, add the remaining oil, when smoking hot, throw in the nigella seeds and green chillies and allow them to splutter.
  • Now add the turmeric - red chilli paste, cook for a couple of minutes till oil starts releasing from the masala.
  • Lower the flame and gently pour in the milk, allow to simmer.
  • When the gravy has reduced to almost half, add the fish and adjust seasonings. Cook over a low flame for a further 3-4 minutes, doodh ilish is ready.
  • Serve hot with white rice.

Notes