Doi Ilish is a signature Bengali Ilish Mach preparation that is widely enjoyed in Bengal. It is prepared with fresh Hilsa fish chunks cooked in a yogurt-based sauce. This sauce is made with a blend of basic spices and gives the dish an extremely flavorful and aromatic taste. It is usually served as a side dish with steamed rice and is a favorite amongst Bengalis. Here I am sharing the recipe of Doi Ilish, doable on stovetop/induction and also in a microwave.
Jump to:
- Ilish Mach Recipes
- Doi Ilish Recipe Video
- A little more about Doi Ilish
- Step-by-step instructions - Doi Ilish in Stovetop/ Ition or in Microwave Recipe
- Storage - Ilish Mach
- Related Recipes
- Here's how I cook Doi Ilish at Debjanir Rannaghar!
- Recipe Card
- Signature Bengali Fish Curry Recipes
- Have you tried the Doi Ilish Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
- Here's the Doi Ilish Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board!
Ilish Mach Recipes
Hilsa, also known as Ilish, holds a special place in Bengali cuisine, loved by everyone regardless of regional differences. While its taste is undoubtedly a major factor, I believe its simple cooking process also contributes to its popularity. Surprisingly, many Hilsa dishes don't even require frying; a little steaming can work wonders. For instance, "Ilish Macher Shorshe Bata diye Jhal," "Bhapa Ilish" (Steamed Hilsa), and "Doi Ilish" are common preparations that don't involve frying. However, if you prefer, you can certainly fry the fish when making these dishes.
Doi Ilish is a classic Bengali dish that is sure to please any fish lover, and it requires minimal effort in the kitchen. It's the perfect choice for an easy-to-make Ilish meal!
Doi Ilish Recipe Video
A little more about Doi Ilish
Doi Ilish, the very name conjures up a myriad of tantalizing tastes and aromas. This Bengali delicacy is prepared with succulent pieces of Hilsa Fish simmered in a delicious yogurt-based sauce. Whether it be Rui or Katla, all types of fish are suitable to make this scrumptious dish. Enjoy the flavorsome Doi Maach by following the recipe given here!
I prefer to cook Doi Maach (or Ilish) whenever I am out of time but need to have light fish curry. Doi Ilish is the Hilsa version of the same dish and probably more popular than Doi Maach.
Step-by-step instructions - Doi Ilish in Stovetop/ Ition or in Microwave Recipe
-
Let's see how to cook Doi Ilish on the stovetop/ induction or Microwave.
-
First, thoroughly wash the fish chunks.
-
In a large bowl, beat the plain curd with a spoon until it becomes smooth.
-
Stir in mustard oil.
-
Now add sugar, and half a teaspoon each of turmeric powder and salt, along with a quarter teaspoon of red chili powder.
-
Mix everything well.
-
Next, add two cups of water to thin the mixture.
-
Now, combine the remaining turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
-
Add the hilsa chunks to this curd mixture, making sure they are coated on both sides.
-
Also, add the green chilies.
-
Cover the bowl and let the fish marinate in the curd for 30 minutes.
-
You can prepare Doi Ilish in either a wok or a microwave oven. Both methods are described below:
- To make Doi Ilish on a stovetop:
Heat a deep pan or wok. Add a quarter cup of water and bring it to a boil.
-
Pour in the marinade and mix.
-
Finally, add the fish chunks to the pan.
-
Cover the pan and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes. Flip the fish pieces in between carefully and continue cooking until the gravy reaches your desired thickness.
- To make Doi Ilish in a microwave:
Take a deep, microwave-safe bowl. Add the fish chunks along with the marinade. Cook this on high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to 40% and continue cooking for about 15 minutes.
-
Your Doi Ilish is now ready to enjoy! If you follow these steps carefully, your dish will not curdle.
Storage - Ilish Mach
Given that Ilish is now available in abundance in Kolkata. These days, I am storing loads of Ilish in my fridge and also cooking it as much as possible. Doi Ilish is one of the dishes I prefer to make, especially whenever I have a craving for a special fish curry along with some Steamed hot rice that involves hassle-free cooking.
Related Recipes
- Chitol Macher Muitha | Chital Maach-er Muitthya Recipe
- Crab Malai Curry | Narkel Dudh-e Kakra | Kakra Malai Curry
- Aar Macher Kalia Recipe | Bengali River Catfish Curry
- Bhetki Maacher Aloo Phulkopi diye Kalia | Light Fish Curry with Potato & Cauliflower
- Aloo Potol Diye Macher Jhol
- Piajkoli ar Aloo diye Tangra Macher Jhol (Bengali Light fish curry prepared with Tyangra Maach, Onion Stalks and Potato)
- Bhapa Chingri aka Bengali Chingri Bhapa
- Bhetki Macher Dum
Here's how I cook Doi Ilish at Debjanir Rannaghar!
Recipe Card
Doi Ilish | Bengali Hilsa Fish in Yogurt Curry recipe - Microwave / Stovetop/ Induction
Doi Ilish is a classic Bengali Fish curry cooked with Hilsa Fish aka Ilish Mach along with curd aka yogurt
Ingredients
- 4 Pieces Hilsa Fish / Ilish Mach 100g each
- 4 Green Chili
- 200 g Plain Curd
- 6 tablespoon Mustard Oil
- 2 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 teaspoon Red Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
Instructions
Prep Work
- First, thoroughly wash the fish pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk plain yogurt until it's smooth.
- Stir in mustard oil, sugar, ½ teaspoon each of turmeric powder and salt, and ¼ teaspoon of red chili powder.
- Mix everything well.
- Then, add 2 cups of water to thin the mixture.
- Place the Hilsa fish pieces into this yogurt mixture, making sure they are coated on both sides.
- Cover the bowl and let the fish marinate for 30 minutes.
- Next, combine the remaining turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
- Also add the green chilies.
- You can prepare Doi Ilish in either a wok or a microwave oven. Both methods are explained below.
To make Doi Ilish on a stovetop/ induction:
- Heat a deep pan or wok.
- Add ¼ cup of water and bring it to a boil.
- Pour in the marinade and mix.
- Finally, add the fish pieces to the pan.
- Cover the pan and cook on a medium flame for about 15 minutes.
- Flip the fish pieces and continue cooking until the gravy reaches your desired thickness.
- Doi Ilish is ready!
To make Doi Ilish in a microwave:
- Place a microwave-safe deep bowl.
- Add the fish pieces along with the marinade.
- Cook this on high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to 40% and cook for about 15 more minutes.
- Your Doi Ilish is now ready to enjoy.
- If you follow these steps carefully, the sauce will not curdle.
Video
Notes
- You may increase or decrease the chilies as per taste.
- You may substitute Mustard Oil with vegetable oil or can absolutely ignore it. However, Mustard oil gives amazing flavor to the dish.
- You may skip sugar as well.
Nutrition
Ilish Mach recipes from Debjanir Rannaghar
- Ilish Mach er Dim Bhuna | Ilish Mach er Dim er Jhuri
- Barishali Ilish (also known as Ilish Barishal)
- Lau Patay Ilish Paturi (also known as Lau Patay Ilish Bhapa)
- Sada Ilish (also known as Ilisher Panikhola (Ilish Panikhola)
- Kasundi Ilish (Hilsa cooked with Bengali Mustard Sauce Kasundi)
- Madhabi Mukherjee's Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi from Gateway Hotel's Ilish Festival!
- Ilish Macher Tok aka Ilish Macher Tawk
- Ilish Shukto! The journey from Debjanir Rannaghar to Taj Bengal's Kitchen……
- My take on Nona Ilish & Nona Ilish Bhorta/ Bhuna Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
- Mawa Ghater Ilish Macher Lejar Bhorta | Ilish Macher Bhorta
- Ilish Macher Korma | Ilish Macher Korma step by step recipe
- Bori Begun Aloo diye Ilish Macher Tel Jhol
- Ilish Pulao | Bengali Hilsa Pulao Recipe
- Bhapa Ilish or Steamed Hilsa Fish or Ilish Bhapa
- Ilish Macher Sorshe bata diye Jhal | Hilsa Fish in Mustard Gravy| Ilish er Shorshe Jhal | Shorshe Ilish
Signature Bengali Fish Curry Recipes
- Shorshe Posto Mach | Rui Maach Shorshe Posto Bata Diye
- Piajkoli ar Aloo diye Tangra Macher Jhol (Bengali Light fish curry prepared with Tyangra Maach, Onion Stalks and Potato)
- Doodh Maach | Bengali Fish Curry cooked with Milk aka Dudh Mach
- Bhetki Maacher Aloo Phulkopi diye Kalia | Light Fish Curry with Potato & Cauliflower
Have you tried the Doi Ilish Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
Please inform me of your experience, and feel free to send a photo to [email protected]. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.
Here's the Doi Ilish Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board!
About Debjani Chatterjee Alam
I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.
Century Foods says
Simple, easy, but delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Debjani Chatterjee Alam says
Thank you so much!