Keyword: bengali minced fish recipe, bombay duck recipe, lote fish recipe
Servings: 5people
Author: Samrat Roy Chowdhuri
Cost: ₹100
Equipment
Knife
Mixer Grinder
Wok
Spatula
Serving Dishes to serve Lote Macher Jhuri
Ingredients
500gLote Fish
1/2cupmustard oil
4pclarge-sized onion
1tspturmeric powder
1tspcumin powder
2tspcoriander powder
2tspred chilli powder
2pctomato
1tspcumin seed
salt to taste
1tspsugar
Ginger Garlic Green Chili Paste
1inchginger
12pcgarlic cloves
6pcgreen chili
Instructions
Preparation for Lote Macher Jhuri or Bombay Duck Fish Recipe
Finely slice the onions
Peel and roughly chop the ginger, garlic and green chilies
In a mixer grinder, add the ginger, garlic and green chilies and grind to a fine paste
Finely chop the tomatoes and keep aside
Cooking the Lote Macher Jhuri
Heat a wok and add mustard oil to it
When the oil begins to smoke, add the cumin seeds
As the cumin seeds begin to splutter, add the onions and fry on a medium heat till they turn golden. This is an important step so patience is the key here
Add the ginger, garlic, green chilly paste and cook till the raw smell stays
Add in the chopped tomatoes along with all the spice powder - turmeric, cumin, coriander, red chilli
Cook on a low to medium flame till the spices and tomatoes are cooked and oil starts to float
Now place the lote fish on top and turn the flame to low
Cover the wok and let it cook for 10 minutes
Uncover. With the spatula, lightly scratch the surface of the fish. This will expose the main bone of the fish. Carefully, pull it out
Repeat the process for all the fishes
Now that most of the bones are removed, mix the fish with the gravy/spice mix nicely. The fish will turn into a mush
Turn the heat to low and saute. You will see any water present dry up slowly. Be patient, it will take time. You will want every bit of the fish to get some char for best flavors
Taste the lote macher jhuri and check for salt. Lote fish is salty by nature and you may not need to add any salt. Check and adjust if needed
Put off the flame. Cover and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes
Serve hot with rice
Notes
Oil & Chilis - Deciding Elements of the Dish
Use mustard oil for the best flavors. Refined oil or ghee should be avoided
This recipe of lote macher jhuri requires more oil
You can adjust chilis based on your preference. Many people like this dish to be spicier
Taking Care of the Fish Bones
The bones are soft and can be eaten
Many people do not prefer to eat the bones and hence try to remove every single piece of bone, which is practically an impossible task
The best option is mentioned in the recipe - it removes the central bone and ensures that you have a comfortable experience