Celebrating Bhai Dooj with Bengali Fish Recipes

This time Bhai Dooj was very special for me as I happened to celebrate the same with all my cousins in my maternal uncle's house after 17 LONG years ! It was the First Bhai Dooj celebration for my daughter as well !

Of the 5 days I spent óver there, I happened to visit the Fish Market one day . Located very near to Bay of Bengal , I was truly amazed to see so many varieties of sea fish like Seer, Mackrel, Pomfret, salt water shrimp, Rangi Ruli, Baul, Gang morala, Paniasia, Tapda, Rupa patia to fresh water fish like Rohu, Katla, Bhetki, Sole , Pabda, Pangash and many more. ( Could not figure out the english names of majority of the fish, hence used their Bengali names :-)).  

Of which the Sun Dried Fish was the most significant. They reminded me of my childhood days when we used to enjoy the Fish fry with Rice soaked in water with a little mashed potato to go along with it. Though it gives out a very pungent odor while frying, but it tastes awesome. All you need to do is to fry them in a little oil :-)  

On the eve of  Bhai Dooj my aunt, who is a Great Cook  prepared  some beautiful  Prawn Tikkis, Prawn Malaikari (Prawn in coconut milk gravy) and Macher tetul/imli tok (Fish in tamarind sauce). Read more for Recipes....

Prawn Tikkis :
This is a very special dish as it is made out of discarded legs and head portion of the prawns. Can use sea prawns or fresh water prawns in this recipe.

Preparation Time : 10 minutes

Cooking time : 7 to 8 minutes

Serves : 5

Ingredients : 

• Discarded legs and head portion of almost 2 lbs. prawn
• 1 medium sized onion (finely chopped)
• 2 green chilies (finely chopped )
• 2 tbsp of besan (gram flour)
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, as required for pan fry

Procedure :

• Wash the prawns thoroughly and cut them. Collect the discarded legs and the head portion of the prawns. Grind them to a fine paste.
• Next in a bowl, add 2 tbsp of besan, chopped onion, chopped chilies and  salt with the prawn paste. Mix well . Use the gram flour according to the consistency of the prawn paste. The prawn mix should not be too watery or too thick.
• Divide the prawn mix into equal portions. Now wash and dry your hands, rub them with a little oil.
• Take each portion of the prawn mix and make it into a ball, gently flatten each ball into a round patty of about 2" thickness.
• Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a non stick skillet over low heat. Place the patties ,not too much at a time and pan fry them on each side for 2 to 3 minutes or until they turn golden brown on each side.
• Enjoy the prawn tikkis with rice and other curries or serve hot with ketchup and coriander chutney.

Prawn Malaikari ( Prawns in coconut milk gravy):

This is an authentic Bengali Prawn Recipe made of coconut milk.  My aunt used onion in this recipe. Can also be prepared without the use of onions.

Preparation time : 15 minutes
Cooking time : 20 minutes
Serves 6 to 7

Ingredients :

• Sea Prawns ( almost 2 lbs.)
• 2 cups of coconut milk
• 1 large potato, diced into 1" cubes
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp chili powder ( adjust heat according to your taste)
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder
• Salt, as required
• Mustard Oil, as required ( can use any oil of your choice)
• Water , as required
• Coriander leaves and green chilies , to garnish

Procedure:

• Wash the prawns thoroughly and cut them. ( Have used the discarded head and the legs portion to make Prawn Tikkis ). To marinate the prawns, use a pinch of turmeric and salt, keep aside for 10 minutes.
• In the mean time, pan fry the potatoes. Keep aside. Next pan fry the prawns, keep aside.
• In a deep non stick skillet, heat 1 tbsp of mustard oil, add the ginger garlic paste and let cook for a minute or so. Next add the chopped onions and let cook till translucent. Add the turmeric powder , chili powder and cook for another minute or so until the raw smell of the spices vanish.
• Next add the potatoes to the spice mix, mix well and let cook for another minute. 
• Add the coconut milk , salt and lastly the prawns and let cook covered until the potatoes and prawns are fully cooked. Add water as required to maintain the consistency of your choice.
• Garnish with Coriander leaves and green chilies and serve hot with Rice.

Macher imli/tetul Tok (Fish in Tamarind Sauce) :

This is one more authentic Bengali recipe surely going to pamper your taste buds. With the addition of a little sugar  brings out the flavors even more.

Preparation time : 10 minutes

Cooking time : 15 minutes

Serves : 5 to 6

Ingredients :

• 1 lb. white fleshed  fish ( Have used Rohu in this recipe)
• Tamarind pulp taken out of a marble sized tamarind
• 1 tbsp Black mustard seeds
• 2 green chiles, slit lengthwise
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• Sugar, a pinch
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, as required
• Water as required

Procedure :

• Clean the fish thoroughly and cut into 2" to 3" pieces.
• Keep marinated with a tsp of turmeric powder and salt for 5 minutes. 
• Next pan fry the fish pieces, keep aside.
• In a deep non-stick skillet, heat a tbsp of oil, add the mustard seeds, once it starts to sputter, add the slit green chilies  .
• Next add water as required, salt and tamarind pulp. Let cook covered for a few minutes or until it comes to a boil. Add the Fish pieces and let cook for another 3 to 4 minutes or until the fish is fully cooked. Add a pinch of sugar before taking out of the heat.
• Serve hot with Rice. NM5ZFXAZQZC6 

Sending all the Recipes for the event CC-Festive Food organized by Srav's Culinary Concept

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