Pabda Fish Bhuna | Fish Curry Recipe

Pabda Fish Bhuna | Fish Curry Recipe

Author: Rumki Paul
Course: Main
Cuisine: Bengali
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 Persons

Pabda Fish Bhuna is one of the most renowned Fish Curry recipes. This dish is the amalgamation of fried Pabda fish with Tomatoes, green Chillies, Garlic and Onions in some ground spices and chopped Cilantros. This succulent and heavily flavoured dish go outstanding with steamed Basmati rice.

Pabda Fish Bhuna is a very quick and easy recipe which requires very limited and common ingredients to get prepared. I have learnt this amazing recipe from one of my Bangladeshi friends. When I have prepared this dish for the first time, my family loved it and now it’s in our hit-list.

Since my childhood, I love eating fishes and Pabda fish is one of my favourites. Whenever I visit my native town, my Dad always brings fresh Pabda fish from the market. In fact, in my last month’s trip to India, he bought some white fresh Pabda fish and my mom cooked super delicious Pabda Macher patla jhol which is more than a comfort food to me.

My native town is on the banks of Brahmaputra river which is famous not only for its hugeness and history but also for its fresh and tasty fishes. I always feel lucky and proud of that and never miss a chance to praise the taste of fishes of Brahmaputra river.

Fish Curries are the biggest example of good cooking skills of a Bong. Many delicious recipes are cooked with Pabda fish like Pabda Macher Jhal, Pabda Macher Aloo-Bori Diye Jhol, Pabda Posto, Pabda Shorshe and many more.

Bengali Fish Curry

West Bengal and Bangladesh are both surrounded by many rivers. They have been a great source of fresh river fishes from ages. The availability of fishes is the key reason behind the popularity of Fish Curries in these regions. This is the secret of huge variation of Fish curries in Bengali cuisine. Our old ancestors have left behind many supreme and simple fish curry recipe for us. Bengali spices can create magic and make any fish curry taste WOW. Pabda Fish Bhuna is one of the finest examples of this.

Pabda Fish Bhuna with step by step photos and instructions have been provided in the ‘Instructions’ section of the recipe. But before jumping into the recipe, let me share few interesting facts about Pabda Fish and the recipe.

What is Pabda Fish?

Pabda Fish is one of the most popular and delicious fishes in India and Bangladesh. It is a small sized freshwater fish which is very nutritious. The main reason behind its popularity is its unique taste. It is frequently served in Bengali wedding ceremonies.

How to clean Pabda Fish?

How to perfectly cook Pabda Fish?

How to make Pabda Fish Bhuna?

For the fish curry recipe, I have used sliced Onions, chopped Garlic, Ginger paste and Tomatoes for the masala.

In Bhuna preparation, masalas are cooked in high flame and stirred vigorously. I did the same for this masala preparation. First, I have added chopped Garlic into the hot oil and fried them and then added Onions, green Chillies, Ginger paste and Tomatoes one by one and cooked them in high flame.

When the masala is done, I have added water into it and cooked the fish in the gravy.

I have only used Cumin powder and chopped Cilantros to flavour up the dish. To make the dish a bit spicy, I have used Chilli powder too.

Ingredients:

• 4 small Pabda fish
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)

• 1 large Onion, thin sliced
• 3 cloves of Garlic, chopped
• 1 large Tomato, deseeded and sliced
• 1 teaspoon Ginger Paste
• 2-3 green Chillies, slit
• 2 tablespoons Cilantro, chopped
• ½ teaspoon Cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
• ½ teaspoon Chilli powder (Mirch)
• Salt to taste
• ½ to ¾ cup of Water (Quantity may vary according to your desire consistency)
• Mustard oil for cooking

1. Marinate the fish with Salt, Turmeric powder and keep them aside for 10 minutes.
   
   

2. Add Mustard oil into the pan and wait until the oil is hot.
   

3. Put the flame in low and add the marinated fish into the pan.
   

4. Fry them from both sides for 1-2 minutes in medium flame.
5. Once the bottom side is done, turn the fish very gently and fry another side.
   

6. Once they are done keep them aside on a plate.
   

   Tip: Don’t overcook the fish, otherwise they will become chewy. During the time of frying, turn the fish carefully because they are very delicate.
   

7. In the same pan, if required, add some more oil and wait until the oil becomes hot.
8. Add chopped Garlic into the pan and fry them till golden.
   

9. Then add Onions and give a nice mix.
   

10. Cook them for 2-3 minutes in high flame until the Onions become translucent. Stir frequently.
11. Add green Chillies, Ginger paste and give a nice mix.
    

12. Cook them in high flame until the raw smell goes away. Stir continuously.
13. Add Salt, Turmeric powder, Chilli powder and give a nice mix.
    

14. Cook the masala for a minute in high flame. Stir frequently.
15. Add Tomatoes and give a nice mix.
    

16. Cook them in high flame for couple of minutes.
17. Cook them until the Tomatoes become tender and mushy.
18. Put the flame in low and add Cumin powder into the pan.
    

19. Stir it nicely and cook for another minute.
20. Add water and give a nice stir.
    

21. Cover the pan and put the flame in high until the gravy simmers.
22. Add chopped Cilantros and give a nice mix.
    

23. Add the fried Fish (Step 6) and put the flame in low.
    

24. Cover the pan and cook it in low flame for couple of minutes.
    

25. Turn the fishes delicately and cook for another couple of minutes in medium low flame.
    

26. Switch off the flame and put the pan down.