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Ilish Bhapa

Ilish Bhapa

Bhapa Ilish . Gorgeous Ilish steaks. A slather of piquant mustard. A generous glug of mustard oil. A throw of wicked green chillies. All snugly packed in an old-school stainless steel tiffin-box and steamed to perfection. (And that intoxicating aroma when you prise open the lid of the box. What a delight for the olfactory nerves !!) This is food heaven !!!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Bengali
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 5 pieces Ilish or hilsa
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard seeds
  • 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
  • 1 tbsp onion paste
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 7-8 green chillies
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 4-5 tbsp mustard oil
  • salt to taste

Method
 

  1. Soak the yellow and black mustard seeds in warm water, some 15 minutes or so. Drain from water, add a pinch of rice, 3-4 green chillies and the garlic cloves, blend to a smooth paste.
  2. Move the mustard paste to a tiffin box, add the onion paste, remaining green chillies, turmeric powder, salt and mustard oil, mix well.
  3. Gently place the fish in the tiffin box, coat well with the paste. Close the lid of the tiffin box. Steam for 12-15 minutes. Remove from flame, allow to to rest for 10 minutes or so.
  4. Carefully open the lid of the tiffin box, finish with a drizzle of some more mustard oil if you like the zing. Serve hot with rice.