Macher Jhal-Pherchi

Macher Jhal-Pherchi
This recipe is taken  from “Thakur Barir Ranna” (Recipes from Tagore's Kitchen) written by Purnima Tagore, in the occassion of 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, this book was published with  variety of recipes listed in the book. These recipes are collection of recipes from a book handed down to her by her aunt, Indira Devi Choudhurani. Indira Devi, the favorite niece of Rabindranath Tagore, she had never cooked on a regular basis. But whenever she liked a dish, she would make it a point to collect the recipe from the cook and note it down in her book. The author has also included some of her own recipes in the book. It is not that all the recipes are from Jorsanko Thakurbari, but they are from Tagore's kitchen.
This recipe is prepared in a different way for the regular Bengali cuisine. The taste is awesome.....

For the Rosted Spice powder
Ingredients
1/2 tsp Caraway seeds
1/2 tsp Pepper
2 Green Cardomom powder
1 small Cardomom sticks
2 Cloves
2 Red Dry Chillies

Method
Dry roast the spices and grind it.

For the Fish
Ingredients
6 pieces of Rahu Fish Or 12 pieces of big size Prawns
1 small Onion chopped
1 small Onion paste
1 tsp Ginger paste
1 Whole Fresh Chilli slit
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Sugar
Rosted Spice powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Lime juice
2 tbsp of Ghee

Method
Take the fish pieces and par boil the fish pieces in 2 cups of water. Take the fish pieces out from the water and keep it aside. Keep the fish stock. Take a wok. Add the ghee, fry the chopped onion till golden brown, take it out and keep it aside. In the same ghee add the ginger, onion paste, turmeric powder and sugar. Sauté it for 2 minutes. Add the salt and fish pieces. On a low flame let the fish pieces cook for a minute on both the sides. Add the fish stock. Let it simmer for 10 minutes till the gravy becomes a bit thick. Add the fresh chilli, roasted spice powder and lime juice, mix it with the gravy. Let it cook for 2 minutes more, serve it hot with rice.