Ilish Bhapa
Bhapa Ilish . Gorgeous Ilish steaks. A slather of piquant mustard. A generous glug of mustard oil. A throw of wicked green chillies. All snugly packed in an old-school stainless steel tiffin-box and steamed to perfection.
(And that intoxicating aroma when you prise open the lid of the box. What a delight for the olfactory nerves !!)
This is food heaven !!!
Ingredients
- 5 pieces Ilish or hilsa
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp onion paste
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 7-8 green chillies
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 4-5 tbsp mustard oil
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak the yellow and black mustard seeds in warm water, some 15 minutes or so. Drain from water, add a pinch of rice, 3-4 green chillies and the garlic cloves, blend to a smooth paste.
- Move the mustard paste to a tiffin box, add the onion paste, remaining green chillies, turmeric powder, salt and mustard oil, mix well.
- Gently place the fish in the tiffin box, coat well with the paste. Close the lid of the tiffin box. Steam for 12-15 minutes. Remove from flame, allow to to rest for 10 minutes or so.
- Carefully open the lid of the tiffin box, finish with a drizzle of some more mustard oil if you like the zing. Serve hot with rice.