By Rajan Bhattacharya
October 10, 2024
Ilish Bhapa is a classic Bengali dish made with hilsa fish, steamed in a mustard, coconut, and yoghurt paste. This fragrant and flavourful recipe is perfect for special occasions and quick to prepare.
250g ilish (hilsa fish), cut into thick pieces 40g mustard seeds (brown and yellow mixed) 8 green chillies 40g coconut (grated) 25g yoghurt (beaten) 22g salt 1/4 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 20g mustard oil
Clean and cut the ilish fish into 3 cm thick slices.
Soak the mustard seeds for 2 hours, then grind them with salt and 4 green chillies into a smooth paste.
Mix the paste with grated coconut, beaten yoghurt, sugar, turmeric powder, and mustard oil.
Coat the fish pieces thoroughly with the prepared mustard mixture and place them in a tiffin box.
Add halved green chillies on top of the fish and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Steam the fish in a covered pan with water for 15 minutes on medium heat.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving the Ilish Bhapa hot with steamed rice.