If Ilish (Hilsa fish) is the king of fishes then Chingri (Prawn) is the queen. the virtual catfight over the supreme taste of both the variety requires no further discussion, especially among Bengali community. Bangals ( people with origin in Bangladesh) and their love for Ilish is as same as the Ghoti peoples preference for Prawns. I personally love Hilsa over Prawns and surprisingly I am not a Bangal. However, I prefer the Bangal way of cooking over the Ghoti way while making Ilish Maach. There are several famous dishes using Hilsa fish is available and Bhapa Ilish is one of the signature dish prepared with Ilish Mach.
There are numerous varieties of Hilsa dishes available and Bhapa Ilish is one of the internationally popular amongst them. “Bhapa Ilish” means Steamed Hilsa where “Bhapa” depicts for Steaming. Traditionally Bong ladies used to steam their Hilsa in a “Stainless Steel Tiffin Box” while making the rice in a Handi (Ha-n-ri). That actually is the ideal process of making Bhapa Ilish. However, These days we opt for easier ways while making the Bhapa Ilish. Bhapa Ilish can be prepared in a Vessel or in a Pressure Cooker and even in Microwave.
A Bengali Hilsa delicacy prepared with Mustard paste, Coconut Paste, Poppy Seed Paste and Curd can't and for that matter won't go wrong! The Taste indeed is over the top, but for me, the super easy cooking process involved with Bhapa Ilish is another reason for my preference whenever I need to cook Ilish Mach in bulk.
Video recipe of Bhapa Ilish:
Bhapa Ilish Recipe From Debjanir Rannaghar!
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Bhapa Ilish or Steamed Hilsa Fish
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4-5 People
Description
Bhapa Ilish or steamed Hilsa is a signature Bengali fish preparation where Hilsa Fish or Ilish Maach is steamed along with spices and ended on a mouth-watering fish curry.
Ingredients
- Hilsa fish/ Ilish Mach: 5-7 pieces (500 g)
- Black Mustard Seed for paste: 4 Tsp. (it should be soaked in lukewarm water)
- Sour Curd/ Tok Doi: 4 Tbsp.
- Freshly Grated Coconut: 3 Tbsp.
- Poppy Seed/ Posto / Khuskhus: 1.5 Tbsp.
- Salt: to taste
- Turmeric powder: 1 Tsp
- Green Chili: 4-6
- Red Chili Powder: ½ Tsp
- Mustard Oil: 4 Tbsp.
Instructions
- [url href="https://kitchenofdebjani.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/How-to-make-Bhapa-Ilish-300x240.jpg"]
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[/url]To make the Marinade:
- Prepare a thick paste of Black Mustard either in grinder or with the help of “Silnora” or “Shil Batta” by adding 1 green chili and 1 Tsp. of salt and keep it aside.
- Make Paste of Poppy Seeds or Posto separately.
- Rub fish pieces with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon turmeric powder and Chilli Powder and leave those for 10 minutes.
To prepare the box full of marinated fish for steaming:
- Now in a bowl add Mustard Paste, Poppy Seed Paste, Freshly Grated Coconut, Sour Curd, Red Chilli Powder, Turmeric Powder and 3 Tbsp. of Mustard Oil and Mix properly.
- Add salt to the mixture. Do check the salt as we have already added salt while rubbing the fish and in the Mustard Paste. Add 1 Cup of Water to the mixture.
- Add Green Chilli.
- Bhapa Ilish can be prepared in a flame using a double boiler or can be prepared in Microwave.
- Take a Stainless Steel Tiffin Box or a Microwave oven safe Container with a tight lid and rub some Oil in the container.
- Now spread half of the previously prepared Paste the container and put 2-3 slit Green Chilies and then place Fish pieces and finally pour rest of the paste over the fishes.
- Pour 1 Tbsp. of Mustard Oil on the top and also rest of the slit Green Chilies.
- Cover the lid of the tiffin box.
Steaming the Ilish: Any of the process mentioned below can be followed:
- Using Vessel or Handi: Take a deep Vessel/ Handi with and place the Box and then pour 5 Cup of water in the box and place the stainless Steel box and then cover the Vessel with the lid and place the vessel on high flame for around 5 minutes or till water started boiling and then cook on low flame for around 20 minutes.
- Using Pressure Cooker: Pour 5 Cup s of water in a Pressure Cooker and place the Stainless Steel Box and then Pressure cook in a pressure cooker on medium flame for 2-3 whistles. Wait till steam comes out of the cooker.
- Using Microwave oven: Take a Microwave safe deep vessel and put the Container containing Fish and then put 5 Cups of water and Cook in High Temperature for 5 minutes and then in 40% temperature for around 25 minutes.
- Carefully take out the tiffin box and open the lid.
- Bhapa Ilish is ready to serve with steamed rice.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Fish, Lunch, Main
- Cuisine: Bengali
To serve Bhapa Ilish:
A few spoonfuls of steamed rice with Bhapa Ilish and you are all set!
*The pictures of Bhapa Ilish updated in 2017
Other Ilish Mach preparations apart from Bhapa Ilish From Debjanir Rannaghar:
- Ilish Korma (Also known as Hilsa Fish Korma)
- Mawa Ghater Ilish Macher Lejar Bhorta (Also known as Hilsa Bharta)
- Bori, Begun, Aloo Diye Ilish Macher Tel Jhol (Also known as Ilish Macher Jhol)
- Doi Ilish (Also known as Hilsa Curry with Yogurt)
- Ilish Macher Sorshe Bata diye Jhal (Also known as Ilish Macher Jhal)
- Sada Ilish (Also known as Ilisher PaniKhola or Ilish Pani Khola)
- Kasundi Ilish (Also known as Hilsa cooked with Bengali Mustard Sauce Kasundi)
- Ilish Shukto (Also known as Hilsa Shukto)
- Ilish Macher Tok (Also known as Ilish Macher Tawk)
- Nona Ilish Bhorta (Also known as Nona Ilish Bhuna)
- Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi (Also known as Ilisher Kanta diye Bandhakopi)
- Ilish Pulao (Also known as Bengali Hilsa Pulao)
Have you tried the Bhapa Ilish aka Steamed Hilsa Recipe from Debjanir Rannachar!
Do let me know how it came out. Also, I would love to see a picture of the same which you can share here on dolonchttrj@gmail.com. On Instagram you can use my hashtag #debjanirrannaghar or you, in addition, you can tag me at @foodofdebjani.
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Ganesh C Mandal says
Debjani,
I am a retired central government officer and presently enjoying my retired life with my wife. I am a food lover and especially love bangal preparation of various fishes. I have decided that I will prepare food for our family to give rest for my wife who's has prepared excellent food for last 45 years. I have learnt cooking from my mother at the very early age of my life. Now this as well as your recipes of various types will help me immensely. As such I followed your recipe of Bhapa Ilish and prepared it for yesterday's lunch for two of us. It was really fantastic. Thank you very much for a marvellous recipe of Ilish . Though I do not eat mutton now a days but would like to prepare your KOSHA MANGSHO one day.
Ganesh C Mandal, Kolkata.
Debjani says
I am nothing but obliged to receive such a beautiful text! Lots of wishes for your cooking venture and hope these attempts will make aunty happy….do let me know after trying Kosha Mangsho…..
Sangeetha says
I tried the recipe and this was amazing.. Reduced the mustard oil a wee bit to suit our palate.. Thanks a ton...