Description
Ilish Macher Tok is a signature Bengali style runny Fish Chutney prepared with mainly Hilsa Head and tail. This dish is characterized by the balance of sweet and sour flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 Hilsa Chunk (mainly head and tail)
- 2 Tbsp. Tamarind Paste
- 100g Jaggery
- 1/2 Tsp. Bengali Five Spices/ Panchphoron
- 2 Dry Red Chili
- 1 Tsp. Turmeric Powder
- 1 Tsp. Salt or to taste
- 2 Tbsp. Mustard Oil
Instructions
- Wash Hilsa chunks.
- Cut the Fish head into halves and make a few slits on the tail.
- Marinade with Turmeric Powder and Salt.
- Mix tamarind paste with one cup of boiling water and leave the mixture for 10 minutes.
- Using a strainer separate the fibers and keep the tamarind water aside.
- Now heat Oil in a Pan and fry fish chunks from both sides.
- Strain from oil and keep aside.
- Temper remaining Oil with Bengali Five Spices and Red Chili.
- Add Tamarind water followed by 2 Cups of water.
- Add Jaggery and salt to taste and bring it to boil.
- Once boiling starts, add fried fish chunks and cook for 5 minutes by covering the pan with a lid.
- This dish should have sufficient liquid at the end. Hence, adjust the water as much as required.
- Switch off the flame and wait till the Ilish Macher Tok comes to room temperature.
- You may fridge it or can serve it at room temperature with steamed rice at the end of the meal.
Notes
- This dish is mainly prepared with the head and tail of Hilsa fish, however, I at times add one or two pieces from the mid portion of the fish. This is completely optional.
- I have used around 200g of fish.
- In my family, I have always seen the Ilish macher tok cooked with Jaggery instead of Sugar. You may use an equal quantity of sugar as well. However, I prefer using Jaggery for the earthy Flavor.
Bengali Five spices are available in departmental stores.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Chutney
- Cuisine: Bengali
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 75g
- Calories: 191
- Sugar: 20.8g
- Sodium: 1592mg
- Fat: 6.9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 22.5g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Protein: 9.7g
- Cholesterol: 17mg
