Fish bhuna consists of marinated Rohu or Katla fish pieces which are prepared with a thick rich sauce. The gravy contains onions and tomatoes together with aromatic powdered spices. The fish pieces are first marinated with turmeric, coriander powder and red chili powder before they undergo frying. The fish pieces are then added to the gravy at the moment when it begins to release its oil. My simple recipe explains how to prepare fish bhuna at home through its detailed instructions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Fish bhuna is a popular and flavorful fish dish enjoyed in many parts of India, especially in eastern regions.
- Serve it with steamed rice, jeera rice, or roti for a satisfying meal.
- Fish bhuna has a spicy, rich, and slightly tangy taste with a thick masala coating the fish.
- Other similar recipes are fish curry, fish masala, Bengali fish kalia, and masala fish fry.
The Ingredients:
For marinating the fish:
- 5 pieces fish (Rohu, cleaned and washed)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp coriander seed powder
For cooking the marinated fish pieces:
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 pieces onions (medium size, thinly sliced)
- 1 tbsp garlic ginger paste
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander seed powder
- 1 tsp cumin seed powder
- ¼ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 piece tomato (large, roughly chopped)
- 1 cup water
- 3 pieces green chilies (sliced in the middle)
- 1 tbsp coriander leaves (fresh, finely chopped)
I discovered a card one day in an old kitchen drawer that contained this recipe at the back. I realized that the recipe actually belonged to my mother because it contained several notes in her handwriting about the best methods for stirring, frying, and more. I decided to try making it myself one day for my family.
I made this meal for my family the next day at dinner. With steamed rice, it was a tasty and hearty meal that everyone in the house really liked. My husband was very much into the taste and flavor of the dish, whereas my two sons were totally crazy about the taste of the dish. It was a happy moment to see them enjoying their food and made me deeply thank my mother.
How to Make Fish Bhuna? (Step by Step Guide with Images)
Step 1: Marinate 5 pieces of cleaned and washed Rohu fish with ½ tsp of salt, ½ tsp of turmeric powder, ¼ tsp of red chili powder, and ½ tsp of coriander seed powder.
Step 2: Fry the marinated fish pieces in 3 tbsp of cooking oil.
Step 3: Fry 2 pieces of onions (medium size, thinly sliced) until soft. Then add 1 tbsp of garlic ginger paste, ½ tsp of turmeric powder, 1 tsp of coriander seed powder, 1 tsp of cumin seed powder, ¼ tsp of red chili powder, 1 tsp of salt, and one large, roughly chopped tomato.
Step 4: Add a cup of water. Bring it to a boil. Add the fried fish pieces. Cover it, leaving a gap, and cook.
Step 5: Transfer it to a serving plate when the gravy thickens and oil separates.
Step 6: Your tasty and spicy homemade fish bhuna is ready. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve.
Recipe Card
Fish Bhuna
Ingredients
For marinating the fish:
- 5 pieces fish Rohu, cleaned and washed
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp coriander seed powder
For cooking the marinated fish pieces:
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 pieces onions medium size, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp garlic ginger paste
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander seed powder
- 1 tsp cumin seed powder
- ¼ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 piece tomato large, roughly chopped
- 1 cup water
- 3 pieces green chilies sliced in the middle
- 1 tbsp coriander leaves fresh, finely chopped
Instructions
- Marinate 5 pieces of cleaned and washed Rohu fish with ½ tsp of salt, ½ tsp of turmeric powder, ¼ tsp of red chili powder, and ½ tsp of coriander seed powder.
- Fry the marinated fish pieces in 3 tbsp of cooking oil.
- Fry 2 pieces of onions (medium size, thinly sliced) until soft. Then add 1 tbsp of garlic ginger paste, ½ tsp of turmeric powder, 1 tsp of coriander seed powder, 1 tsp of cumin seed powder, ¼ tsp of red chili powder, 1 tsp of salt, and one large, roughly chopped tomato.
- Add a cup of water. Bring it to a boil. Add the fried fish pieces. Cover it leaving a gap and cook.
- Transfer it to a serving plate when the gravy thickens and oil separates.
- Your tasty and spicy homemade fish bhuna is ready. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve.
