Today’s recipe is Doi Ilish! It is a very well-known fact that Bengalis and Fish are synonymous with each other. They fondly call themselves mache bhate bangali and they may include fish in any meal of the day.
Now for this fish loving Bengalis, Ilish holds a very special place in their hearts. This fondness for Ilish has gone to such an extent that they celebrate ilish utsav or the festival of hilsa during the hilsa season i.e. in monsoon. Ilish has been featured in different Bengali movies and ads, time and again and a hot topic in debates, as to which ilish tastes better? Ganga or Padma? Even this year ‘Ilish Maach’ is a pandal theme for a Pujo committee in Kolkata.
To prepare ilish , Bengalis have a huge array of recipes but today I am not going into all those details, instead, am sharing a very simple version with mustard sauce and yogurt or dahi called doi ilish. Since it is a simple recipe with two main ingredients, the dish is done within minutes.
Doi Ilish (Hilsa in yogurt and mustard sauce)
Recipe: serves two
- 2 big pieces ilish or hilsa
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 tablespoons mustard paste
- ¼ cup whisked yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mustard oil
- Salt to taste
Wash the fish pieces and marinate with a pinch of salt and turmeric. Keep aside for five to ten minutes. Meanwhile heat 1 table spoon of mustard oil in a wok and when it comes to a smoking point lower the heat and fry the fish lightly. Remove the fish from the oil and add the rest of the oil. In a bowl add the whisked yogurt, mustard paste, salt and turmeric. Mix in well. Lower the heat and add the mixture in the oil. Cook for some time and when the oil starts to separate add the fish pieces,slit green chillies and half a cup of water. Cover and let it cook for ten minutes.
Serve with steamed rice.
Tips:
To make mustard paste, soak the mustard in water for at least two hours and grind with a green chilli and salt. That way the mustard paste will not taste bitter and it will be easy to grind.
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Dear Sonali,
I am a big fan of your blog and your innovative presentation of dishes. I hope you know that Hotel Peerless Inn Kolkata is using your DOI ILISH photograph in their main Bengali new year ad – https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201744507805578&set=a.2919711803016.2119174.1567434156&type=1&theater
Sincerely,
A Chatterjee, KOLKATA FOOD LOVERS CLUB