FISH KOFTA CURRY

I took a break from blogging for sometime for various reasons. Today  may not be the right time to resume, I forced myself because food and cooking relieve my stress. In my blog, I so far have highlighted the culinary expertise of the ladies in my family who encouraged me to love cooking. 

We forget to mention the people who are the silent supporters at home, for whom we are able to engage ourselves happily in the kitchen, for them we cook. Today's post is dedicated to such a person... our father. He never peeped into the kitchen, never showed any interest in cooking..... end of the day he is happy with whatever is served to him.

The typical East Bengal; now Bangladesh born father of us is a mango and fish lover. He loves kofta varieties. Whenever I prepare kofta curries, I think of him.... I parcel a bowlful virtually. We do miss our families back home...... specially at this stage in life. Coming back to the recipe, this is Fish Kofta Curry made with homemade spices. Let us do it together.

INGREDIENTS :

Fish Fillet : 300gm
Minced Ginger : 1/2tsp
Minced Garlic : 1tsp
Chopped Green Chilli : 1tsp
Chopped Onion : 2 tbsp
Ginger Paste : 1tsp
Garlic Paste : 1/2tsp
Onion Paste : 1tbsp
Tomato Paste : 1/2 small tea cup
Cumin Powder : 1tsp

Coriander Powder : 1 tsp

Dry Mango Powder : 1/2 tsp
Chilli Powder : 1tsp
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : 1tsp
Cumin Seed : 1/4tsp
Bay leaf : 1
Plain Yogurt : 2tbsp
Sugar : 1/2 tsp[optional]
Oil : 5tbsp
Gram flour : 1tsp

METHOD :

Peel, wash and chop the onions.

Wash and cut the fish fillets into medium pieces. Boil them in enough water adding a pinch of salt. Drain the water once soft.

Heat the oil in a wok, temper it with 2 pinches of cumin seeds. Add the chopped onion. As they turn golden brown, add the minced ginger and garlic.

As they give out an aroma, add the boiled fish, break with your ladle. Add salt, 1/2 tsp cumin +1/2 tsp coriander +1 tsp dry mango +1/2 tsp turmeric powders and chopped green chillies. Stir cook well.

Add the gram flour and mix well. Switch off the gas burner. As the mixture cools, shape into small round balls, flatten or do not.

Heat the remaining oil, fry the fish balls in batches carefully or cook them in the oven like I do!

Temper the oil with cumin seeds and bay leaves. Add the onion paste and fry until golden brown.

Add the ginger garlic paste and fry until the raw smell goes away. Add the tomato paste and fry for 2-3 minutes.

Add the rest of the chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt, sugar and beaten yogurt. Fry until the oil separates from the spices. Pour one small cup of water. Let it come to boil.

Arrange the fried fish koftas in a serving bowl. Pour the gravy over it, 10-12 minutes before you are ready to eat it.

Serve with steamed white rice.