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Ilish dim bhuna
Fried hilsa roe
ইলিশ মাছের ডিম ভুনা (ilish macher dim bhuna): Barisal hilsa roe fried with onion, turmeric and chilli
Early in the hilsa season the female fish carry a pair of large, golden roe sacs, and in Barisal kitchens nobody would dream of wasting them. Ilish dim bhuna is the quick and greedy way to cook them: the roe is fried with lots of onion, turmeric and green chilli until it breaks into soft, rich, slightly grainy crumbs, a little like a savoury fish scramble. It is eaten as a side dish with plain rice and dal, often on the same day the fish itself is cooked in mustard. Roe spoils quickly, so buy it bright and fresh-smelling with the fish and cook it the same day. Many cooks stir the roe too early and too hard, turning it into paste; let it set first. Chef's tip: steam the roe sacs for 3 minutes before frying, so they firm up and break into neat crumbs.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the roe
- 10 ½ oz hilsa roe (or other fish roe)membrane intact, rinsed
- 1 /2 tsp ground turmericdivided
- 1 tsp saltdivided
- 3 tbsp mustard oil
- 2 onionsfinely chopped
- 2 cloves garlicfinely chopped
- 1 /2 tsp red chilli powder
- 3 green chillieschopped
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander (optional)chopped
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Toss 10 ½ oz hilsa roe (or other fish roe) with 0.5 /2 tsp ground turmeric and ½ tsp salt, then steam it on a plate over simmering water for 3 minutes until it firms and turns opaque on the outside.
3 minStep 2: Heat 3 tbsp mustard oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat until it just smokes, then lower to medium.
2 minStep 4: Stir in 1 /2 tsp red chilli powder, the remaining 0.5 /2 tsp ground turmeric and the remaining ½ tsp salt.
1 minStep 5: Add the roe in pieces and leave it for 2 minutes without stirring so it sets.
2 minStep 6: Break it up gently with the spatula and fry for 3–4 minutes until it forms soft, golden crumbs and is firm and opaque all the way through.
4 minStep 7: Stir in 3 green chillies and 2 tbsp fresh coriander and serve hot with rice and dal.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 19 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ilish dim bhuna take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 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 onions?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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