KANCHA MACHHA BESARA / RAW FISH WITH MUSTARD PASTE

Machha tarkari (fish curry) is very popular in Odisha, particularly the fresh water fish such as rohu and katla. And the machha besara tarkari (fish with mustard paste) ranks among the top. Sorisa (mustard) is traditionally ground on a stone along with jeera (cumin), garlic and dried red chilli to get the rough paste and tomato is used to get the tingling savoury taste. The tingly taste of the tomato along with curd combined with mustard paste creates wonders to the gravy and the fish.

INGREDIENTS:

• Rohi/Rohu Machha ( Fresh ) : 6 medium pieces

• Mustard Oil - 1 tbsp

• Mustard Seeds - 3 tbsp, soaked in water for 2 hours

• Cumin Seeds - 1 tbsp

• Garlic - 4/5 cloves

• Dry red chilli - 1 to 2

• Tomatoes - 2 medium size, diced

• Onion - 2 big size, diced

• Curd - 2 tbsp

• Green Chilli - 4/5, sliced in the middle length wise

• Turmeric powder -1/2 tbsp

• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

• Salt - To taste

• Corinder leaves – Handful chopped for garnishing

PROCEDURE:

1. Grind the mustard Seeds, garlic, jeera and dry red chilly together to a fine paste and keep aside.

2. Wash the fish properly and marinate for 10 mins with 1/2 tsp chilli powder, pinch of turmeric and pinch of salt.

3. In a karai /pan, put the fish pieces, salt, turmeric powder, diced onion, diced tomatoes, curd, sliced green chilli, mustard paste, mustard oil and mix all the ingredients together and keep aside for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Add little water and cook for 20 mins in a low heat….till fish is properly cooked .

5. If you want then you can add some more water, taste the salt and garnish with coriander leaves  and turn of the flame.

6. Kancha machha besara (Raw fish with mustard paste) is ready to be served with steamed rice.

Note:

• The authentic way is to use raw fish and tastes best too, but if you want you can shallow fry the fish pieces before adding to curry.

• You can use rohu, katla or ilishi fish.

• Dice the onions in medium size, which will taste better after it is cooked.

• Mix the fish pieces lightly as the raw fish might got broke.