Shorshe Ilish (Hilsha fish in mustard paste)

 SHORSHE ILISH (HILSHA FISH IN MUSTARD PASTE)

Today I am going to share with you a splendid recipe, this is called Shorshe Ilish in bangla. In English, Ilish is Hilsha fish and shorshe is mustard .This Shorshe Ilish is undoubtedly scrumptious. If you would like to have a little bit spicy, delicious food then you should try it very soon.

Shorshe Ilish is a classic Bangladeshi recipe made with mustard paste, green chillies and mustard oil. The dish that makes a Bengali, I personally think. Ilish, or anglicized as Hilsa is a fish that holds a very special place in every Bengali’s heart. There is no other fish in the world that even comes close to it’s taste, flavor or aroma.

In my parents home, Ilish is a staple that is cooked almost every other week. The way an average American may think of a good rib-eye steak or a fillet mignon, that’s how us Bengalis feel about Ilish. Yes, a good quality Ilish might cost a pretty penny, but it is worth every cent. It’s always a celebration when Ilish is being cooked at home. And you know when I come to think of it, no Bengali celebration is complete without an Ilish based dish. They say, there are more than 100 ways Bengalis can cook Ilish and I fully concur with that saying. Ilish, or Hilsa Fish is the national fish of Bangladesh and the state fish of West Bengal, India. This fish contributes to about 12% of the total fish production and about 1.15% of GDP in Bangladesh. Also known as Hilsa Herring or Hilsa Shad, this is a species of fish related to the herring. It's rich in omega 3 fatty acids which gives the fish its' marbled fat content and softness.

Lets have a look the ingredients & cooking procedure of Shorshe Ilish ~

INGREDIENTS

  

• 4 pcs hilsa/ ilish steaks
• 1.5 tbsp yellow mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
• 1.5 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 cup mustard oil
• 1/2 tsp nigella seeds
• 4-5 green and red chilies
• salt to taste

SHORSHE ILISH

INSTRUCTIONS

 

• Marinade the hilsa pieces with salt and 1 tsp turmeric powder.
• Soak both the mustard seeds in half a cup of water for 15 minutes.
• Discard the water and take the mustard seeds in a grinder jar. Add a couple of green chillies, 1 tbsp of mustard oil and little water for grinding it into a smooth paste. It takes some time to make a good paste and add more mustard oil or water, if required to make the paste.
• In a frying pan or a kadai, take 1.5 tbsps of mustard oil. When it heats, add a couple of green chillies and then nigella seeds. Let them splutter. Then add the rest of the turmeric powder and the mustard paste. While you are doing so, keep the heat to a medium to low.
• Stir this for a few seconds and then add water. Add as much water as the desired consistency.
• Let the water come to a boil and then transfer the fish into the mustard gravy.
• Keep the heat at a medium and let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Then flip the fish and let the other side cook for 3 - 4 minutes.
• Then drizzle some more mustard oil and add more split green chillies and let it boil.
• Season with salt if required and once oil starts to rise, turn off the heat then garnish with few red chilis.
• Serve shorshe ilish with steamed rice.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF SHORSHE ILISH

Hilsa fish is highly nutritious and is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals. It is especially beneficial for heart health and can help reduce the risk of heart disease. It is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin D. Consuming Hilsa fish also helps to maintain beautiful and healthy skin.

Hilsa fish is used to treat a variety of health conditions in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, such as rheumatism, arthritis, and asthma. It is believed that the fish has anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate pain and inflammation in the body. Then Mustard is quite good for us because it contains several antioxidants that provide various health benefits including anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Mustard is a low-calorie highly flavored condiment that can replace or augment more calorie dense options.