Hilsa Fish With Brinjal Curry

Fish curry is a specialty of Indian cuisine. Every state in India, primarily the fish eating states like Odisha, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala etc have their own varieties of fish curries to offer. Fish curry with brinjal is mostly cooked in the eastern parts of India. In both Bengal and Odisha, fish curry with brinjal is a favourite dish.

Usually, Hilsa is the fish that is cooked in a brinjal curry. Hilsa fish contributes to many gourmet Bengali recipes. However, you may also use fish like Ruhu, Bhetki and Aar for making fish and brinjal curry. As this is a Bengali recipe, it is better if you use mustard oil for cooking it. Fish and brinjal curry is traditionally a dish that is rich in fish oils.

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• Hilsa Fish- 8 pieces (800 grams)
• Brinjal- 8 slices (400 grams)
• Green chillies- 4 (slit)
• Mustard seeds- 1/2tsp
• Red chilli powder- 1tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1 pinch
• Mustard oil- 2tbsp
• Salt- as per taste

Procedure

1. Heat mustard oil in a deep bottomed pan. Fry the hilsa fish fillets in the oil for about 15 minutes.
2. Keep the flame low to fry both sides of the fish evenly.
3. Take the fried fish out of the oil and keep on tissue paper to soak the extra oil.
4. Season the leftover oil in the pan with mustard seeds and green chillies.
5. After 30 seconds add the brinjal pieces in the pan.
6. Raise the flame to medium and saute the brinjal for around 3-4 minutes with the spices.
7. After the brinjal pieces turn brown, mix red chilli and turmeric powder with 2 cups of water. Pour it into the pan.
8. Raise the flame higher and wait till the curry bubbles. Stir the curry a couple of times and add the fried fish to it.
9. Cover and cook on a low flame for 5 minutes.

You can garnish the fish and brinjal curry with chopped coriander leaves. Have it hot with steamed rice.