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Bhetki paturi

Fish steamed in banana leaf

Bhetki paturi (ভেটকি পাতুরি) — Bengali fish steamed in banana leaf with mustard and coconut

Paturi means 'wrapped in a leaf', and in Bengal the favourite fish for it is bhetki, the meaty barramundi of the Sundarbans estuaries. Fillets are coated in a sharp paste of mustard, coconut and green chilli, tied up in banana leaf and steamed or cooked on a griddle, so they come out moist and fragrant. It is a dish for celebration lunches in Kolkata and is unwrapped at the table over hot rice. Chef's tip: no banana leaves? Use baking paper inside foil; you lose a little aroma but none of the texture.
Total time
55 min
Difficulty
medium
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4

For the fish

For the mustard paste

To wrap

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Fresh ingredients (2)

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Method

0/8 done
  1. Step 1: Soak 2 tbsp black mustard seeds and 1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds in cold water for 15 minutes, then drain.

    15 min
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile rub 1 ⅛ lb bhetki (barramundi) fillets with ½ tsp ground turmeric and half the ½ tsp salt and set aside.

    2 min
  3. Step 3: Grind the soaked mustard with 2 of the 4 green chillies, the remaining ½ tsp salt and 3–4 tbsp cold water to a smooth paste. Common mistake: grinding mustard dry or with warm water for a long time, which turns it bitter; the salt, chilli and cold water keep it sweet and sharp.

    3 min
  4. Step 4: Add 1 ¾ oz freshly grated coconut and ½ tsp sugar and grind briefly until combined, then stir in 2 tbsp of the 3 tbsp mustard oil.

    1 min
  5. Step 5: Hold each 2 banana leaves square over a low gas flame for a few seconds until it turns glossy and soft, so it folds without splitting.

    3 min
  6. Step 6: Coat each piece of fish thickly with the paste, lay it on a leaf, top with a slice of the remaining green chillies and a few drops of the remaining oil, then fold into a neat parcel and tie with 1 kitchen string or toothpicks.

    8 min
  7. Step 7: Steam the parcels over boiling water for 15 minutes, or cook them in a heavy frying pan brushed with oil over a medium-low heat for 7–8 minutes per side.

    15 min
  8. Step 8: Open one parcel to check: the fish should be opaque all the way through and flake easily with a fork. Serve the parcels closed and let everyone unwrap their own over rice.

    1 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
290 kcal
Protein
25 g
Carbs
4 g
Fat
19 g
Fibre
2 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does bhetki paturi take?
About 55 minutes in total: 35 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of ground turmeric?
Leave it out (it mostly adds colour).
What can I use instead of black mustard seeds?
Cumin seeds, same amount (different flavour, same crackle).

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