Ilish Macher Jhol, is a traditional Bengali fish curry. The dish features the high-quality hilsa fish, the highly prized fish loved by Bengalis.
Cooked with simple ingredients like potatoes and eggplant (brinjal), the dish offers an aromatic and satisfying experience.
Follow my simple recipe to cook this delightful Bengali traditional dish at home to enhance your culinary experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Ilish Macher Jhol is a traditional Bengali dish featuring aromatic hilsa fish, potatoes, eggplants and simple spices.
- Onions and tomatoes provide a subtle sweet-sour balance, while green chilis add a hint of heat to this savory dish.
- The recipe involves frying marinated hilsa fish, combining it with spices, vegetables, and creating a flavorful gravy.
- Pairing Ilish Macher Jhol with steamed rice enhances the dining experience.
- You can cook different recipes with hilsa fish as an alternative to Ilish Macher Jhol such as Ilish Bhapa, Doi Ilish, Shorshe Ilish Ilish Korma, and Ilish Paturi.
How to Cook Ilish Macher Jhol (Step by Step Images)?
1. Smear the hilsa fish with 1/4 tbsp of turmeric powder and 1/4 tbsp of salt. Let it sit aside for 10 minutes.
2. Heat a wok and add 3 tbsp of mustard oil. Carefully place the four hilsa fishes into the hot oil. Lightly fry the fishes.
(Pro tip: Add oil as per your preference. Be cautious while adding the fishes into the oil, as it can cause splattering.)
3. Flip the fishes and fry both sides until they are cooked as expected. Remove the fishes from the oil once they are done.
4. Now, add 1/2 tbsp of black mustard seeds into the oil. Sauté them until they emit a pleasant aroma. Add chopped onions and stir-fry.
(Pro tip: Onions are optional.)
5. When the onions are fried, add the eggplants and potatoes. Stir them for 2 mins. Add 1 tbsp of salt and mix everything well.
(Pro tip: You can use nigella seeds instead of black mustard seeds. Adjust the salt to your taste.)
6. Add 1 tbsp of turmeric powder and 1 tbsp of chili powder then mix everything thoroughly. Add a small amount of water and stir until the turmeric aroma dissipates.
7. Now, add the chopped tomatoes and stir until they soften. Once the stirring is complete, add 1 cup of water. Cover and let it cook.
(Pro tip: Tomatoes are optional. Add water according to your desired consistency.)
8. Uncover the lid and add the fishes. Place four slitted green chilis on top. Mix everything nicely. Cover it again and let it cook for 5 minutes.
9. After 5 minutes, the cooking is complete. Turn off the heat and add the chopped coriander leaves.
(Pro tip: Coriander leaves are optional.)
10. Ilish Macher Jhol is ready.
11. Transfer Ilish macher jhol to a bowl.
12. Serve it with steamed rice.
Recipe Card
Ilish Macher Jhol | Hilsa Fish Curry
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Hilsa fish (cut & cleaned)
- 1½ tbsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp Red chili powder
- ½ tbsp Black mustard seed
- 1 piece Onion (chopped)
- 1 piece Tomato (chopped)
- 1 piece Potato (cut into longitudinal pieces)
- 1 piece Eggplant (cut into longitudinal pieces)
- 4 pieces Green chili (slitted)
- 1 tbsp Coriander leaves
- 3 tbsp Mustard oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Smear the hilsa fish with 1/4 tbsp of turmeric powder and 1/4 tbsp of salt. Let it sit aside for 10 minutes.
- Heat a wok and add 3 tbsp of mustard oil. Carefully place the four hilsa fishes into the hot oil. Lightly fry the fishes.(Pro tip: Add oil as per your preference. Be cautious while adding the fishes into the oil, as it can cause splattering.)
- Flip the fishes and fry both sides until they are cooked as expected. Remove the fishes from the oil once they are done.
- Now, add 1/2 tbsp of black mustard seeds into the oil. Sauté them until they emit a pleasant aroma. Add chopped onions and stir-fry.(Pro tip: Onions are optional.)
- When the onions are fried, add the eggplants and potatoes. Stir them for 2 mins. Add 1 tbsp of salt and mix everything well.(Pro tip: You can use nigella seeds instead of black mustard seeds. Adjust the salt to your taste.)
- Add 1 tbsp of turmeric powder and 1 tbsp of chili powder then mix everything thoroughly. Add a small amount of water and stir until the turmeric aroma dissipates.
- Now, add the chopped tomatoes and stir until they soften. Once the stirring is complete, add 1 cup of water. Cover and let it cook.(Pro tip: Tomatoes are optional. Add water according to your desired consistency.)
- Uncover the lid and add the fishes. Place four slitted green chilis on top. Mix everything nicely. Cover it again and let it cook for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, the cooking is complete. Turn off the heat and add the chopped coriander leaves.(Pro tip: Coriander leaves are optional.)
- Ilish Macher Jhol is ready.
- Transfer Ilish macher jhol to a bowl.
- Serve it with steamed rice.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Info (Estimation Only)
