Rohu Fish Curry with Cauliflower and Peas : Recipe

Being a Bengali I am fond of fishes and fish is one food item without which any Bengali remains incomplete. Any ceremony be that of marriage, home-warming, anniversary taking place in a Bengali house has atleast one fish item a must to be added to the menu. Interestingly, not many people know that we Bengalis are more fond of sweet fishes found in river and freshwater lakes than of salty fishes bred in seas except perhaps Hilsa and Pomfret. Rohu fish is a white non oily fish which has been a part of our meal tradition since time unknown. The preparation detailed below is made with cauliflower and peas, thus adding a healthy touch to the traditional Rohu curry.

Ingredients:                                                        Cooking time:45 minutes to 1 hour


8 pieces of Rohu fish

Florets of cauliflower (cut into medium size)

1 small cup of peas

1 medium size onion

5-6 green chillies (slit in the middle)

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp red chilli powder

2 dry red chillies and 1 tsp mustard seeds (for saute)

2 cups of mustard oil (mustard oil is a requisite item for cooking Bengali fish curry. The strong mustardy aroma complementing the sweet taste of rohu fish makes a heavenly combination.)

About 2 cups of water, depending on whether you want gravy to be thick or light.

salt tastewise

Method:

1. First rub turmeric powder and a bit of salt over the fish pieces and then fry them till they turn brown in colour. Please be careful while adding the fish pieces into the oil. Only when the oil will start to smoke, add the pieces else the fish will get stuck to the bottom of the pan.

2. Deep fry the fishes and then keep them aside.

3. Add oil into the frying pan. Give mustard seeds and 2 dry red chillies. When they will begin to sputter, add the onions and lightly fry them till they turn golden in color.

4. Add garlic and ginger paste. Stir a while and then add the spices and simmer for 2 minutes. Add water if the mixture turns dry.

5. Now add peas and cauliflower and cook them on medium heat with lid covered till cauliflower becomes tender. Add 1 and half cup of water or as required for preparing gravy.

6. Add the fish pieces and simmer for 5 minutes more. Rohu Fish with cauliflower and peas is now ready to serve.