Sarso wali Rohu machali

Bhat (भात) and Machali (मछली) is one holiday lunch that I always overeat and feel so contented, a perfect recipe for a great afternoon nap. Without much ado, Bhat is cooked plain rice, and Sarso (Mustard), Machali (Fish), so it is fish mustard curry. If you are worried about your fat and carb intake, this dish is not for you then.

Ingredients

About 800-1000 grams Cut into pieces, preferably Rohu (Fresh water) fish

3-4 tablespoon mustard oil for curry

About 1/2 cup of mustard oil for frying.

2 tablespoon of garlic paste

Salt as per taste

2 teaspoon of turmeric powder

1 -2 teaspoon of red chili powder

For Gravy

4-5 tablespoon of black or yellow mustard seeds, paste. Note: Use about 2-3 tablespoon of water to grind.

1 tablespoon of garlic paste

1-2 bay leaves

2 onions finely chopped

1 tomato finely chopped

salt as per taste

1 teaspoon of turmeric powder,

1 teaspoon of cumin powder

1 teaspoon of coriander powder

1 teaspoon of red chili powder

About 1-1.5 cup water

Method for frying

Take fish pieces in flat bottom large vessel, sprinkle salt, turmeric and chili powder, add garlic paste. Smear / coat the spices well on each piece, using your hand.

Put a wok on medium to high flame, add sufficient mustard oil, once oil is hot, slowly dip 3-4 fish pieces, and fry them by turning once or twice at 2-3 minutes interval. Once, pieces are nicely done (brown & crisp), take them out from oil and keep it aside. Note: fried fish can be served as stand alone starters or side dish.

Method for Mustard Curry

Take a separate Wok, put it on medium to high flame, add mustard oil, once oil is hot. Add 1-2 bay leaves, followed by chopped onions. Saute till onions turn brown, then add garlic paste, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder. Saute for 4-5 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, fry till oil separates and then add mustard paste. Saute not more than 1-1.5 minutes, else curry will taste bitter. Add water and salt. Let it boil, then add fried fish pieces, cover and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes. Fish curry is ready, serve with plain rice.