Recipe Of Chital Macher Jhal (Spicy Curry Of Clown Knife Fish)

Over the time Bengali Recipes has undergone a huge revolution,people stared tasting different species of fish like Basa,Salmon,Tuna and so on.Even recipes are tweaked every now and then like a regular fish fry for instance,can be crusted with Kasuri methi and instead of Betki Pathuri people are liking Betki Poached in liquid flavoured with carrot,leeks and celery. Recently I was reading an article about how new age chefs are coming up with concepts and food trend like neuro-gastronomy. Well there is nothing to wrinkled your brows,its a concept where focus is on the looks and flavour of the dish. There are several more concepts and trends which food lovers are experimenting in their everyday meal and the best part is that family members are also encouraging their attempts and acknowledge their creativity.

Chital Mach or Clown Knife Fish is a delicacy in Bengal and the best breed of this bonny fish travels all the way from river Brahmaputra.We Bengalis innovated two different ways to have this fish,the belly of the fish is cooked separately and the bony back portion is cooked in completely different manner.Here I am sharing the traditional recipe of Chital Jhal.

Recipe Of Chital Jhal

 Ingredient :

• Chital Mach 750 gms
• Onion 3(make a paste) 
• Ginger & Garlic Paste 2 tbs
• Red chillies 3
• Cumin Seeds
• Red Chilli powder
• Green chillies 2
• Lemon Juice 2 tbs
• Salt , Turmeric , Bay leaf
• Whole Garam Masala 3 each
• Mustard Oil.
• Coriander leaves for garnishing 

Recipe Of Chital Jhal

 Method :

• Marinate the fish with lemon juice,red chilli powder, vinegar,salt and turmeric for 15 mints
•  In a pan heat some oil and shallow fry the fish,then keep it aside.
• In a separate pan again heat some oil and add cumin and bay-leaf along with the garam masalas.
• Next add the paste made of onion,red chillies,ginger and garlic along with salt and turmeric.
• Mix the masalas well then add a cup of warm water and allow it to boil in low flame.Once the gravy starts boiling add the marinated fish, then sprinkle the garam masala powder and cook for another 2 to 3 mints till the gravy attains the desired consistency.
• Then ladle down the dish,sprinkle some coriander leaves and serve with plain rice.   

Recipe Of Chital Jhal

Recipe Of Chital Jhal