STEAMED FISH-bhapa mach

First I will write you the modern way of cooking Steamed Fish and then the age-old traditional Bengali (India) steamed fish recipe (known as Bhapa Mach)

STEAMED FISH RECIPE FOR COOKING FISH #1:

Now in modern household Microwave is there and it is easier, convenient and time shaving to cook in it.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes:

Cooking time: approximately 8:00 to 10 mins.

Required Ingredients

500 gms of fish (Hilsa - cut into pieces)

For Marination #1

1 cup hung curd (after draining all the water from the curd)

4 to 5 green chillies (thinly sliced)

2½ tbsp mustard paste

1 tsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

Salt to taste

HOW TO MARINATE

Step 1: Take a big bowel and put the hung curd in it, add all the ingredients and mix it well.

Step 2: After washing the fish, drain all the water with a tissue paper, so that it is dry. Then, Marinate the fish with the mixture.

Step 3: Let the fish to marinate for 30 minutes.

COOKING IN A MICROWAVE:

Step 1: Take a microwavable bowl and smear oil in it and then microwave it at 100% power for 30 seconds.

Step 2: Place the marinated fish in the bowl and cover it. Then microwave it 60% power for 8 to 9 minutes.

Step 3: Switch off the microwave and leave the bowl covered for 2 to 3 minutes.

Now, fish is ready, take it out and serve it with boiled rice.

STEAMED FISH RECIPE FOR COOKING FISH #2:

We do not need to know how to marinate as it will remain the same as above. Only instead of microwave, we need to put the fish in a steamer container and then steam it for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Fish is ready after that to be served with boiled rice.

STEAMED FISH RECIPE FOR COOKING FISH #3:

This method is age-old traditional Bengali method. As there were no microwave and not even steamers, so this is the method through which traditionally Bengali families used to cook steamed fish and believe me this is the most effective way as the taste and aroma you will get is far superior than microwaved fish or steamer cooked fish.

NOTE: This method is only applicable when at least 10 people are going to eat. Otherwise, the above two options are there.

Step 1: Again, we do not need to know how to marinate as it will remain the same as above. Only we will smear some oil in Banana leaves (cut to size of 15 x 20 inches), now place the marinated fish in it, wrap it.

Step 1: Cook rice for at least 10 people, drain the water. Take out half of the cooked rice from the container. Now, place the marinated fish cover in banana leaf over the freshly cooked hot rice in the container. Now, put the other half of the hot rice back over it which you just have taken out. Cover the container and leave it for 30 minutes.

It is ready to eat.

FOR MARINATION #2

One can try different marination also like:

2 tbsp fresh coconut

1 tbsp dhania or coriander

5 to 6 green chillies (thinly sliced)

1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

1 tsp chilli powder

10 garlic cloves

Little bit of shredded ginger

Little bit of garam masala

Salt to taste

Put all the ingredients in a grinder bowl and grind and make a fine paste. Apply the paste on the fish and leave it marinated for 30 minutes and then cook.

Benefit of steamed fish: Fish contains fish oil, i.e., omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are very good to our health. Steamed fish retains these fish oil which are sometime destroyed due to harsher cooking methods.