Ilish Barishali

Ingredients:

• 5 large pieces ilish or hilsha fish
• 5-6 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. cold yogurt
• 1/8 tsp. kalonji
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. mustard powder (dissolved in 1 tbsp. water)
• 1/3 cup grated coconut (make a paste)
• 1 tbsp. cashew paste
• 1/2 tsp. green chilli paste
• 4 green chilies (2 slitted, 2 whole)
• 175 ml water
• Salt to taste

Making Procedure:

Wash the fish pieces, then marinate them with 1/4 tsp. salt. Add half of the mustard paste, cashew paste & coconut paste and apply on the fish by hand.
Leave for it for an hour.

Pour oil in a wok and let it smoke. Then reduce the heat, add slitted green chilies and kalonji. Then add green chilli paste and  yogurt, fry it for 2 minutes. Add remaining mustard paste, turmeric powder and salt. Stir well and fry it for a minute or the oil comes out from the sides.

Now add the fish pieces and cook it for 2 minutes. Then flip over the fishes very carefully and cook it for another 2 minutes. After that add water and whole green chilies. Stir slowly and put the lid on. Cook it for 3-5 minutes on low heat. Then remove from heat.

Serve hot with plain hot rice.