Hilsha or Ilish as it is called in Bengali, is a delicacy to any
Bengali. Hilsha fishes are available in the market during the monsoons.
Whether guests are invited or there is any festive occasion, an Ilish
recipe is a signature to the entire menu.
The combination of Hilsa and mustard paste is always a hit.
Ingredients :
5-7 pieces of Hilsa,
3 green chilies,
½ cup mustard seed,
A pinch of turmeric(optional),
Salt to taste, 2-3 tsp of mustard oil
5-7 pieces of Hilsa,
3 green chilies,
½ cup mustard seed,
A pinch of turmeric(optional),
Salt to taste, 2-3 tsp of mustard oil
Method to make the mustard Paste :
Mustard paste or ‘sorshe baata’ is the heart of Bhapa Ilish.
Soak the mustard seed in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
After soaking the seeds in water, add a green chilly,salt and grind them all together.
Make sure that the paste is neither too thick nor too watery. Add 2-3 tsp of water while grinding to make a consistent thickness.
Mustard paste or ‘sorshe baata’ is the heart of Bhapa Ilish.
Soak the mustard seed in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
After soaking the seeds in water, add a green chilly,salt and grind them all together.
Make sure that the paste is neither too thick nor too watery. Add 2-3 tsp of water while grinding to make a consistent thickness.
Traditional Method to make Bhapa Ilish :
Coat the hilsa pieces with turmeric powder and salt and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.
Place the hilsa pieces in a tiffin box. Spread the mustard paste over the hilsa pieces in such way that it covers the fish pieces.
Slit the remaining 2 pieces of green chilies and place it over the fish pieces.
After spreading the mustard paste over the fish pieces, add the 2-3 tsp of mustard oil over it and then close the lid of the tiffin box.
Put the tiffin box in pressure cooker, add 4 cups of water and steam it for 2-3 whistles.
Serve hot with rice.
Coat the hilsa pieces with turmeric powder and salt and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.
Place the hilsa pieces in a tiffin box. Spread the mustard paste over the hilsa pieces in such way that it covers the fish pieces.
Slit the remaining 2 pieces of green chilies and place it over the fish pieces.
After spreading the mustard paste over the fish pieces, add the 2-3 tsp of mustard oil over it and then close the lid of the tiffin box.
Put the tiffin box in pressure cooker, add 4 cups of water and steam it for 2-3 whistles.
Serve hot with rice.
Microwave Version of Bhapa Ilish
Microwave Version of Bhapa Ilish:
Take a microwave safe bowl and smear with a 1tbsp of mustard oil. Microwave the oil for 30 sec at 80% power.
Place the fish pieces in the microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minutes at 100% power.
Then pour the mustard paste over the fish pieces. Place the slit chilies over the fish pieces and add 2-3 tsp of mustard oil.
Cover the bowl and microwave at 80% power for 20-25 minutes.
Take a microwave safe bowl and smear with a 1tbsp of mustard oil. Microwave the oil for 30 sec at 80% power.
Place the fish pieces in the microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minutes at 100% power.
Then pour the mustard paste over the fish pieces. Place the slit chilies over the fish pieces and add 2-3 tsp of mustard oil.
Cover the bowl and microwave at 80% power for 20-25 minutes.