It could have been a regular tasting, however, it was not! The Gateway Hotel EM Bypass Kolkata's Ilish festival is full of surprises this year. This year their Hilsa menu is specially curated by Bengali actress Madhabi Mukherjee! Two dishes of her, Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi and Anaroshi Ilish are part of 2018's Rupoli Itikotha Hilsa Festival along with some of the amazingly cooked dishes by Chef Deep Mitra Thakur and team!

The Hilsa Romance and Aro Dure Cholo Jai........

It was the time of board meeting at the office and I was not sure whether to go for the event or not! Then there was baba and his horrifying remark " Please go dolon and meet charulata and also come up with a picture. Do something productive!" I was about to ask my father what exactly he meant to say but decided to keep quiet! I was running late! It took me 30 minutes from my office (sector 5) to reach The Gateway Hotel EM Bypass, Kolkata and I probably requested the Cab driver 50 times to hurry! How could I not! After all, I was about to meet none other than Madhabi Mukherjee and about to savor Ilish dishes cooked by her! Upon reaching the hotel I saw her cooking Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi as well as Anaroshi Ilish!

I found a big bunch of guests talking to her and also found her talking about her Bangladesh days as well as about Ilish Mach! I was quiet! In fact, I was just witnessing her cooking with the support of home chef Sukanya. Still beautiful and poised, she was cooking with ease!

The Ilish Thali at The Gateway Hotel EM Bypass Kolkata & Madhabi Mukherjee's Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi:

You may ask, why I am emphasizing only on the Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi but not Anaroshi Ilish! The reason my friend is, I always prefer the dishes cooked with fish head or tail instead of the dishes cooked with the fillet (or body). I believe it takes a lot to use the almost discarded parts (not by the Bengali's though) while cooking.

Needless to say, I was happy with the Ilish Pithe and Ilish Salad beside other dishes we had as part of the thali. Kochu Patay Mora Narkeli Ilish indeed was a surprise. At the same time, nobody (including people having their base in Bangladesh 😉 ) were able to identify Kochu Pata (colocasia leaf). I must mention the Ilish Pulao as well and last but not the least Ilish Peti Sandesh. For me, the Thali is actually a good deal considering the portion size and variety of items and not to mention strong cooking skill!

Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi; from Gateway's Kitchen to Debjanir Rannaghar!

I was quite busy that day to eat and ended on clicking a very few pictures. However, I decided to cook one dish upon returning home and requested them to share the recipe of Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi. As a matter of fact, I cooked the humble Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi at home and everybody enjoyed it thoroughly.  Moreover, Pasta decided to be the hand model for me and here is what I clicked.

Coming to the dish, Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi, is nothing but Macher Matha Diye Badhakopi cooked with Potato as well as Peas. Coupled with regular spices and tempering, it is very easy to make. Furthermore, Madhabi di was talking about slow cooking, which actually is advisable for any dish prepared with Cabbage or Badhakopi.

Here's how you make Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi following Madhabi Mukherjee's Recipe!

Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi

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Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi aka Hilsa fish head cooked with Cabbage is a Bengali fish-based side dish.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Yield: 5 People 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• Hilsa Head: 1
• Cabbage: 1
• Potato: 2
• Peas: ½ cup
• Onion: 2
• Tomato: 1
• Ginger Paste: 1 Tsp.
• Garlic Paste: 1.5 Tsp.
• Green Chilli: 3-4
• Coriender Powder: 1 Tsp.
• Cumin Powder: 1 Tsp.
• Garam Masala Powder: 1 Tsp.
• Turmeric Powder: 1 Tsp.
• Red Chilli Powder: 1 Tsp.
• Sugar: 1 Tsp.
• Salt: 1 Tsp.
• Bay Leaf: 2
• Dry Red Chilli: 1 (optional)
• Cinnamon Stick: 1" (optional)
• Ghee: 1 Tbsp.
• Mustard Oil: 3 Tbsp.

Instructions

1. [url href="https://kitchenofdebjani.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Making-Ilish-Macher-Matha-diye-Badhakopi.jpg"][/url]
2. Wash Hilsa head and cut into two halves.
3. Sprinkle Turmeric Powder and salt and marinade fish head.
4. Cut Cabbage into long strips and wash thoroughly.
5. Peel the skin and cut Potatoes into small cubes.
6. Chop Onion and Tomatoes.
7. Make a paste of Cumin and coriander powder with little water.
8. Heat Oil in a pan and deep fry fish head chunks and strain from the oil.
9. Shallow fry Potatoes.
10. Temper remaining oil with Bay leaf, Cinnamon stick, and dry red chili.
11. Now add chopped onion and cook till it turns translucent.
12. Add chopped tomatoes, ginger and garlic paste an
13. Add salt, Sugar, Red chilli powder, Cumin and coriander paste, and turmeric powder. and cook till oil comes out from the side.
14. Now add chopped cabbage, and mix thoroughly and cook by covering the pan with a lid till cabbage softens over the low flame.
15. This will take around 15 minutes.
16. Add fried potatoes and green peas and mix thoroughly.
17. Add fried fish head chunks.
18. Adjust spices and cook till the cabbage reduces and properly cooked.
19. Add Ghee and Garam Masala powder and mix thoroughly.
20. Serve it hot with steamed rice.

Notes

Instead of Powdered Cumin and coriander, you may use whole Cumin and coriander seed to make the paste.
You may increase the amount of fish-head.
This dish can be cooked with other fish-head as well.

• Author: Debjani Chatterjee
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Category: Side Dish
• Cuisine: Bengali

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 65g
• Calories: 265
• Sugar: 6.7g
• Sodium: 649mg
• Fat: 12.6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 26.4g
• Fiber: 6.3g
• Protein: 13.5g
• Cholesterol: 23mg

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Have you tried Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar or visited Gateway hotel during the Festival?

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. Similarly, on Instagram, you can use my hashtag #debjanirrannaghar or can tag me at @foodofdebjani.

You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for updates and recipes from Debjanir Rannaghar.

Disclaimer: I was invited by the management of The Gateway Hotel EM Bypass Kolkata for the Rupoli Itikotha Festival.

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