Is Padma-r Ilish best or Rupnarayan's Ilish?

Have you considered Kolaghater Ilish (Hilsa fish from Kolaghat)? Well, Needless to say, Padma-r Ilish (Hilsa from Padma river) is the pioneer however, it is not possible to get one always especially if you are in India but not in Bangladesh. It is though easier to arrange Padmar Ilish US, UK, or Australia all thanks to the Bangladeshi shops/ markets. In India, a good quality Ilish from Ganga (Kolaghat to be specific) or Hilsa from Rupnarayan is a wise purchase if you can afford it. We get Mayanmar Ilish as well, which though is not that flavorful.

Do I need to use Mustard Paste mandatorily while cooking Ilish Mach?

If you are cooking Shorshe Ilish, or Ilish macher Bhapa or Ilish Paturi, Mustard paste aka Shorshe bata is a must but not for other dishes such as Ilisher Tel Jhol, Bori begun diye Ilisher Jhol or Ilisher Panikhola or Ilish Beguner Jhol.

They say you must not use onion while cooking Ilish Mach. Is it right?

If a dish needs Onion; it needs it period. Panikhola calls for Onion and so does i]Ilish macher Korma. The same applies to Ilish Bhuna. Do not restrict your mind if possible.

Why should not I buy Khoka Ilish?

You want the next generation to savour Ilish mach as well; don't you? If the answer is "Yes"; you should say No to Khoka Ilish.

What is Khoka Ilish? What size should I consider while purchasing Hilsa fish?

In the Indo-Bangladesh region, Ilish Mach is one of the celebrated fish. . Ilish is a migratory fish and the life-cycle is quite unique as the fish went through both salted as well as freshwater. However, due to overfishing, unscientific fishery, pollution Hilsa is now in danger. The unauthorized sale of Khoka Ilish or baby Hilsa is one of the catalysts to this problem. Hence, say no to Baby Hilsa. If possible, procure Ilish beyond 1kg.

Ilish Beguner Jhol Recipe aka Ilish Begun Jhol Debjanir Rannaghar

Description

Ilish Beguner jhol is a light curry cooked with Fresh Hilsa and wedges of Eggplant aka Begun and is a comforting Hilsa fish curry.

Ingredients

Scale

6 Pieces Hilsa fish aka Ilish Mach (150g each)
1 Eggplant
5 Green Chillies
2 cloves of Garlic (optional)
1 Tsp. Onion Seed aka Kalojire aka Kalonji
1 Tsp. Red Chilli Powder
1 Tsp. Turmeric Powder
1 Tsp. Salt
6 Tbsp. Mustard Oil

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Instructions

Wash Hilsa Fish chunks and rub 1/2 Tsp. each of Salt, Turmeric Powder, Red Chili Powder and 1 Tbsp. Mustard oil to the fish.
Leave the fishes after marination for 15 minutes.
Cut Eggplant into thick wedges (with the skin on).
Rub the eggplant with the marination available in the bowl you are keeping the marinated fish.
Now heat 3 Tbsp. Mustard Oil in a thick bottom pan.
Once heated, lightly fry the fish for 30 seconds on each side.
This step is ootional and you can for sure skip this step however, doing this you can have Ilish Mach bhajar tel (oil from frying Hilsa) in the pan which is a dish itself.
If you are frying the fish, strain 2 Tbsp. Oil from the pan once the fishes are fried lightly and strained.
Once done, fry the eggplant wedges remaining in the pan for 1 minute and strain from the oil.
Temper the oil remaining in the pan with nigella seed and freshly crushed garlic (optional).
Now add green chillies after cutting those into halves.
Mix remainng Turmeric Powder, Red Chili Powder, and also Salt with 1/2 cup water and add this mixture to the pan.
The mixture will start bubbling soon.
At this point add 4 cups of water and bring the mixture to boil.
Once start boiling, add Hilsa fish (either fried or unfried) and cook for 7 minutes on high flame.
Now add fried eggplant and cook for 3 more minutes.
Adjust the water as the curry should be runny.
Adjust Salt and also chili powder if needed.
Once done, add 1 Tbsp. Mustard Oil and lightly mix it.
Cook for a minute and switch the flame off.
Serve Ilish Beguner Jhol with steamed hot rice.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Category: Side Dish
Method: cooking
Cuisine: Bengali

Nutrition

Serving Size: 175g
Calories: 342
Sugar: 2.6g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 19.3g
Saturated Fat: 2.9g
Carbohydrates: 5.7g
Fiber: 3.3g
Protein: 35.3g
Cholesterol: 60mg