ASSAMESE MASOR TENGA [A TANGY FISH CURRY]

Of late I am posting a recipe which I should have done way before.  My today's pick; Assamese Masor Tenga is a typical Assamese tangy fish curry in which almost no spices are used and is done with minimal oil. Though I visited Assam two-three times, I have a special relation with Assam given my family from the father's side are staying there for many decades. Our paternal grandfather migrated there from Comilla, East Pakistan,  now Bangladesh. My maternal grandfather too was posted there for a couple of years being in a transferable job. Hence, I am acquainted with their cuisine to an extent. They are expert in various steamed rice / flour cakes[pitha], sour fish curry too. I like their minimally spiced curries.

We learn about the history of ancient Assam from inscriptions on rock, copper plates, clay, royal grants, etc. Its history can be divided into 4 eras. The ancient era began in the 4th century with the establishment of Kamarupa kingdom, the medieval era began with the Turko-Afgan attacks from Bengal, the colonial era began with the advent of the British, post colonial era began in 1947, after the Indian independence. [WIKI]

Assamese Cuisine is a style of cooking that is a confluence of cooking habits of the hills that favor fermentation and drying as a form of food preservation. The cuisine is characterised by less use of spices, less amount of cooking over fire. Fish is widely used with rice as a staple. A traditional Assamese meal begins with a khar, a class of dishes named after the main ingredient, ends with a tenga, a sour dish. Food is usually served in metal plates and bowls. 

I have chosen an Assamese tangy fish curry for today's meal. My family living there is almost half Assamese now! I used this fresh Rui Mach / Bengal Carp variety of fish for the recipe, I prefer even a smaller sized for sour curries!

INGREDIENTS :

Any firm white fish : 500gm [I used Rohu / Rui mach / Bengal Carp]
Tomato : 2 medium
Onion : 1 big
Lemon Juice : 2 tbsp [alternatively elephant apple/chalta one piece, I used lemon juice]
Bengali Panch Phoron : 1tsp [ an equal amount of fenugreek, nigella, cumin, ajmod / radhuni and fennel seeds]
Coriander Leaves : 2-3 sprigs
Dry Red Chillies : 2-3
[not required but I used 1/2 tsp of Kashmiri Mirch Powder to add colour]
Oil : 2 tbsp [I used mustard oil]
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : 1tsp

METHOD :

Wash the fish and cut into medium pieces. Rub with salt n turmeric powder as required. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes.

Cut, deseed, wash the tomatoes. Wash, peel, slice the onions. Wash, and chop the coriander leaves discarding the roots.

Heat oil in a wok. Fry the fish pieces until light brown. Keep aside.

Temper oil with panch phoron, slitted dry red chillies. As they splutter, add the sliced onions.

Fry the onions until brown, add the tomato pieces.

Saute until the tomatoes are well fried and separate from the oil. Add the remaining turmeric powder, salt and Kashmiri chilli powder. Give a stir.

Add the lemon juice. Add one coffee mug water. Let boil for 4 minutes at medium to low heat.

Add the fish pieces and boil for another 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped coriander leaves. Switch off the gas stove.

Yes, its this simple and easy! Serve with steamed hot rice!