Ilish Macher Dim Bhapa | Hilsa Fish Egg in Mustard Sauce | Bangladeshi Recipe

Ilish Macher Dim Bhapa | Hilsa Fish Egg in Mustard Sauce | Bangladeshi Recipe

Author: Rumki Paul
Course: Main
Cuisine: Bengali
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 Persons

Ilish Macher Dim Bhapa is a variation of famous Bengali recipe of Bhapa Ilish. It is one of the most succulent and easy Fish-egg curry recipes. It is the amalgamation of Hilsa fish roe, Mustard paste, Yogurt, green Chillies with some Mustard oil. This delectable dish can be accompanied with hot steamed rice.

I am a big fan of both Hilsa fish and Hilsa fish roe and it is one of the toughest decisions to pick one from these two. I still remember how my dad used to bring pair of Hilsa fish and Hilsa fish roe from the fish market. But in my house, mostly Hilsa fish egg fry is prepared rather than fish egg curries.

I have prepared this Fish egg curry after coming to the UK. I often prepare Bhapa Ilish here and it’s our favourite. One day my husband brought frozen Hilsa Fish roe with a Hilsa fish. Initially I was not sure what to prepare with those roe but suddenly the idea of Ilish Macher Dim Bhapa clicked in my mind. I immediately came in action and prepared this recipe. My family and relatives just loved this comfort dish and asked me to prepare it again.

Hilsa is known as “Queen of fishes”. Ilish (Hilsa fish) is very popular in South Asia, especially among Bengalis and Odiyas. It is the National fish of Bangladesh. It is also known as Elish mas in Bangladesh. According to most of the Bengalis and Odiyas, including me, Hilsa is the tastiest fish in this world. The reason for its popularity is its unique taste and texture. But I must say that every Bong has a special place in their heart for Hilsa fish.

But when it comes to Hilsa fish roe, the story becomes more exciting. Hilsa fish eggs have the same unique flavour of Hilsa fish and has an incredible texture. Whenever a bong buys a hilsa fish with eggs, then they always separate them for cooking some other dishes. It is an absolute treat for the complete family and specially for kids when Hilsa fish egg recipe is prepared in any Bong house because the kids, normally, cannot enjoy the taste Hilsa fish because of its sharp and jiffy bones.

Ilish Macher Dim Bhapa recipe with step by step photos and instructions have been provided in the ‘Instructions’ section of the recipe. But before directly jumping into the recipe, let me share few interesting facts about the dish and Hilsa fish roe.

Hilsa Fish Egg Recipe

Many traditional and authentic recipes are prepared with Hilsa fish egg. It can be prepared in many ways like frying, steaming, roasting or baking and every preparation tastes amazing.

Ilish Macher Dim has a unique flavour and taste and many people only fry them with salt and turmeric powder without using any spice and eat as a side with Dal-Chawal to enjoy the original flavour without any distraction.

Hilsa fish egg curry can be prepared in many ways. Ilish Macher Dim Bhaja, Ilish Macher Dim Bhuna, Ilish Macher Dim Shorshe are few amazing Bengali recipes. Ilish Macher Dim Bhapa can be a great addition to this list.

What is Bhapa preparation?

Bhapa preparation means cooking in steamed process. It can be prepared in three ways using

In any of these three types, the result turns great. I have used oven to prepare Ilish Macher Dim Bhapa.

What kind of Mustard seeds to be used in this recipe?

Normally, two types of Mustard seeds are used in cooking, yellow and black. Black mustards have strong pungent flavour as compared to yellow mustard seeds. Yellow seeds have mild flavour.

Note: Sometimes few black mustard seeds have bitter taste.

In this recipe, I have used yellow mustard seeds for paste. Most of the people use yellow mustard seeds for this fish preparation.

How to make Fish egg curry?

For the Ilish Macher Dim Recipe (Hilsa Fish Roe Recipe), first I have marinated the fish roe with salt, turmeric powder and kept it aside.

Then I have soaked yellow Mustard seeds in water for 10 minutes and have then made a smooth paste of it with the help of a blender.

I have combined the marinated roe, Mustard paste, Yogurt, green Chillies, Mustard oil, Turmeric powder and Salt all together and transferred it to an oven proof air-tight utensil. Then I have cooked it in oven.

I have not used any external element other than mustard paste for the recipe. The flavour of Mustard paste, Mustard oil and green Chillies all together smells divine.

Ilish Macher Dim Bhapa has its own strong flavour and it does not go great with flavoured Rice items. It tastes the best with plain Rice. This mouth-watering recipe can be a good option for your regular lunch because it takes hardly half an hour to get prepared.

Ingredients:

• 3 Ilish macher Dim (Hilsa fish roe)
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)

• 1 ½ tablespoons Mustard seeds3-4 tablespoons of Water, for the Mustard paste
• 1 tablespoon Yogurt
• 4-5 green Chillies, slit
• ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon Mustard oil
• 3-4 tablespoons of Water, for the Mustard paste

1. Switch on the oven for preheat to 200°C/180°C Fan/ Gas 6.
2. Soak the Mustard seeds in water for 10 minutes.
   
   

3. Put the Mustard seeds and a little water into a jar of mixer grinder.
   

4. Grind them for a minute and make a smooth paste with them.
   

5. On the other hand, marinate the fish roe with Salt, Turmeric powder in a bowl and keep it aside.
   
   

6. Pour the mustard paste on the marinated roe (Step 1).
   

7. Add Yogurt into the bowl.
   

8. Add Mustard oil, green Chillies into the bowl.
   

9. Add Salt, Turmeric powder into the bowl.
   

10. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and transfer it into an ovenproof utensil with lid.
    
    

11. Put on the lid of the utensil and place it on the middle shelf of the preheated oven.
    

12. Bake it for 15-20 minutes.
13. If it is done switch off the oven and take the utensil out or else bake it for few more minutes.
    

    Note: The time may vary for different ovens.