Bata Macher Jirer jhol

Bata fish is very common and popular in west Bengal..as a true bong fish lovers we all love to eat bata fish..I stay out of Bengal.so getting bata fish in regular basis is not a easy job.last week my husband brought this Bengal famous bata fish ..he loves to eat this kind of fish. I here made very light ,tasty and runny kind of fish curry..it is not only tasty but very healthy too..it's very easy to make as it needs very minimum ingredients. This Bata fish curry is authentically came from my grandma s kitchen ...I learnt from my mother..this recipe truely have bee passed down through the generations....

Cook Time -- 30mins
Serves - 4

Bata fish - 4
Potatoe -1,cut into length wise
Onion seeds /kalanji - 1/2 tsp
Ginger paste - 1 tsp
Green chilli - 2
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Chilli powder -1/2 tsp
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Salt - as required
Mustard oil - 3-4 tbsp

Steps---

Marinate fish with turmeric powder and salt.

Then heat a kadai with 4tbsp mastered oil and fry Bata fish till gets nice light brown colour in medium flame ..take out fried fish from kadai and keep aside.

Again heat kadai with remaining oil .if you need you can add little amount of oil..

Then add onion seeds /kalonji ,add slit green chilies, now add potatoe and fry it in low heat..

Now take a bowl ,add ginger paste ,turmeric ,chilli,cumin powder ,salt to taste..add 2tbsp water and make a paste.

Add this into the kadai..stirring for a minute.then add a cup of water...bring to boil the gravy..
Reduce flame on low fire  for 6-7 mints.cover kadai .cook till potatoes cooked well.

Then add fried Bata fish into the runny gravy (Jhol in Bengali term).keep cooking for another 3-4 mints.

Check seasoning ....add 1tsp lemon juice ,give a good stir..ready  Bengali Bata Macher Jirer Jhol.........serve it with steam rice


Note ---- I did not use tomatoes as my grandma never used tomatoes ..if you want you can add tomato .