10 Irresistible Bengali Fish Delicacies

Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 13:01 [IST]

It is often said that if you want to learn making Indian style fish, then you better learn it from a Bengali. A Bengali cannot imagine a meal without fish. So, naturally Bengalis have a variety of recipes using fish as the chief ingredient. Starting from the famous 'Maacher Jhol' which translates to the simple fish curry to the grilled fish, Bengalis know it all. Simply because fish is something that they love to experiment with.

Every Bengali fish delicacy is unique in its own way. Some Bengali fish delicacies differ in taste due to the ingredients used in the preparation, while others may differ due to the way it is cooked or the type of fish used. Hilsa and Rohu are the two kinds of fish which you will find in most of the Bengali fish delicacies. These fish have a fantastic flavour and when cooked with the blend of the special Bengali spices, they taste simply irresistible. Another interesting fact about Bengali fish delicacies is that even the head of the fish is turned into a delicious and mouthwatering treat.

So, check out these ten irresistible Bengali fish delicacies and have a finger-licking Bengali treat at your home.

Fish Do Pyaza

Fish do pyaza is one of the delicious and mouthwatering fish recipes from the versatile Bengali cuisine. Usually rohu fish is used for preparing this recipe. But you can try it with any fish of your choice. It is a simple recipe which is not very spicy and can be prepared without much fuss.

Crispy Fish Fry

Fish fry is one of those fried snacks that makes you nostalgic about Calcutta. Sold everywhere (from road side stalls to five star hotels), this Bengali recipe is iconic in every way. It is deep fried and dripping with oil most of the time; that is a mark of a truly tasty Bengali snack.

Cabbage Muri Ghonto

Traditionally muri ghonto is prepared using a small amount of rice. But here is another version of this lip-smacking muri ghonto, the Bengali recipe with cabbage. Muri ghonto tastes best when cooked with the head of the Rohu fish or the Ilish fish found in Bengal.

Macher Jhol

Fish in Bengali sauce (Macher Jhol) is a popular seafood that is served as a side dish. Macher jhol is a very delicious and spicy fish stew that is served with rice. The aroma of garlic and ginger cooked in mustard oil can tempt you to try this seafood recipe.

Hilsa Fish With Vegetables

Usually, Hilsa is the fish that is cooked in a brinjal curry. Hilsa fish contributes to many gourmet Bengali recipes. However, you may also use fish like Ruhu, Bhetki and Aar for making fish and brinjal curry.

Shorshe Ilish

Shorshe Ilish has all the trademarks of an authentic Bengali recipe. Most Bengalis consider Shorshe Ilish to be a very difficult recipe so, they usually reserve the dish for special occasions. But, this Bengali recipe is actually much more simpler than other fish curry recipes like Maccher Jhol.