As we welcomed 1422 among much fanfare and festivity, we couldn’t help but be taken by the foodarama that comes with Pohela Boishakh. Bhorta, pantha bhaat, panta ilish – there’s so much to enjoy and such little time. Worry not because Pohela Boishak delights don’t necessarily have to be limited to the first day of the new year. Today I share with you two very special recipes that are full of love and warmth of a good old home cooked meal.
Crunchy and Spicy Lentil Drops (Bori Bhorta)
Ingredients
15-17 lentil drops (Bori)
1 tbsp. finely chopped onion
1 tbsp. fried onion (beresta)
2 green chillies chopped
2 dried red chillies
Salt & sugar to taste
2-3 tbsp. mustard oil
Method
Fry the boris with a small amount of vegetable oil in a frying pan on low heat for approximately 15 minutes or till its nicely crisp. While doing so, place 2 or more dried red chilies near your stove ring.
Let them cool for a while and crush the boris and red chilies coarsely in a mortar pestle.
Just before serving combine all the ingredients together with a spoon.
Hilsha fish in mustard gravy
(Shorisha Ilish)
Ingredients
• A glug of mustard oil
• ½ tsp. of cumin seeds
• ¼ cup of water
• Few whole green chilies
Marinara
• 6-8 pieces of Ilish (Hilsha Fish)
• 4-5 medium sized onions
• 2 tbsp. mustard paste
• 2 or more green chilies
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• A pinch of turmeric powder
• ½ tsp. garlic paste
• ½ tsp. ginger paste
• ½ tsp. cumin paste
• Salt to taste
Method
Cut the onions and green chilies into small chunks and blend them into a paste with a small amount of water. Marinade the fish with all the above ingredients, listed separately. Keep it in the fridge for at least an hour or more till you are ready to cook it.
In a large skillet, add a glug of oil and add in the cumin seeds. Within a few seconds, add the marinated fish along with the marinara.
Once it comes to a boil, cook it for about 2 minutes, turn the heat on low and let it simmer for around 20 to 25 minutes. Add a few whole green chilies. Cook for another minute and take it off the stove.
Enjoy the traditional taste of Shorisha Ilish!
