Nowadays I am exploring the fish market a lot given Mehebub is presently not in India and we are residing in Kolkata! This situation has given me a chance to explore the nearby market in Garia. This market is available with various fresh fishes and especially small fishes from freshwater and Tangra Mach a.k.a Tangra Fish is one of those. Last week while hopping the market while returning from office I saw fresh Tangra fishes in abundant and most of those are full of egg (fish roe)! I then grabbed 500g of Tangra Mach and returned home happily and ended on making the Tangra Mach er Aloo Begun o Bori diye Jhol.
Initially, I was thinking to prepare Tangra Mach er Jhal with Mustard paste which my Mom and Mamoni used to make in my ancestral house. However, while checking my fridge for veggies to make another side dish I found an Eggplant. there was a change in plan from a hard-core Ghoti dish to typical Bangal delicacy Tangra Mach er Aloo Begun o Bori diye Jhol. I used to have this runny curry with Tangra fish in my Cousin Sister’s place. Bardibhai’s MIL was a great cook and she was originally a native of Bangladesh. I still remember that great runny Tangra fish curry prepared by her with veggies. They did not use Onion garlic in their cooking but I love the flavor of Onion and garlic in my Tangra Mach er Aloo Begun o Bori diye Jhol.
Tangra Mach er Aloo Begun o Bori diye Jhol a.k.a. Tangra Fish Curry with Potato, Eggplant, and Dried Lentil Dumplings is a typical Bengali fish curry tempered with Panch Phoron or Bengali five spices. This dish is tangled with different flavors that include the fish itself, veggies and special aroma of spices. Given to the runny texture and light spices this fish curry is easy to digest and can be given to kids in case they have a tooth for fishes with bone.
- Tangra Fish: 4 pieces (cleaned but whole)
- Potato: 1 (Big Size)
- Eggplant: 1 (Medium size)
- Tomato: 1
- Onion: 1 (Big Size)
- Garlic Paste: 2 Tsp.
- Green Chili: 5-6 (or as per taste)
- Panch Phoron or Bengali five Spices: 1 Tsp.
- Bori/ Dried Lentil Dumplings: 12-15
- Turmeric Powder: 2 Tsp.
- Salt: as per taste
- Mustard Oil: 4 Tbsp.
- Cut Potato and Eggplant into wedges.
- Chop Onion and Tomato roughly.
- Sprinkle some Turmeric Powder and Salt over the Fishes as well as on Eggplant strips and rub thoroughly.
- Now heat the 2 Tbsp. oil in a deep bottom Pan and sauté Potato strips and Eggplant strips one by one and keep those aside.
- In the remaining oil fry fishes carefully by not breaking those in medium flame and keep those aside too.
- Finally fry Bori till those turn light brown in color.
- Take 2 Tbsp. of Oil in the same pan and temper the Oil with Panch Phoron and then add chopped Onions and fry till those turn light pink in color.
- Add Garlic paste and sliced Green Chili and then cook on low flame.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook till oil comes from the mixture.
- Now add Salt as per taste.
- Add Fried Potatoes and mix with the spices.
- Now add 2 Cup of water and cook in medium flame to bring it to boil.
- Add fried Egg-plant.
- Add some more water if required as this curry is served a bit runny.
- Serve Tangra Mach er Aloo, Begun ar Bori Jhol with hot steamed rice.
Bengali Fish Recipes from Debjanir Rannaghar apart from Tangra Mach er Aloo Begun o Bori diye Jhol:
- Mawa Ghater Ilish Macher Lejar Bhorta
- Bori Begun Aloo diye Ilish Macher Tel Jhol
- Shutki Chingri Bhorta
- Aloo Fulkopi diye Macher Jhol
Have you tried the Tangra Mach er Aloo Begun o Bori diye Jhol Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
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 can tag me at @foodofdebjani.
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