Bengali Fish Stew

Name: Bengali Fish Stew
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H55M0.000S
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Cuisine: indian
Ingredients: 5 tablespoons mustard oil* or vegetable oil, divided; 4 green cardamom pods, crushed*; 4 cloves; 3 small bay leaves; 1 teaspoon panch phoran**; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 to 3 green chiles, pricked with a fork; 2 rounded tablespoons ginger paste* (make your own by crushing or blending fresh ginger to a rough paste, adding water, if necessary, to loosen); 2 large cloves garlic, blended to a paste with 1 tablespoon water; 1 tablespoon ground coriander; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1/4 teaspoon red chile powder; Pinch paprika, optional; Kosher salt; 14 ounces water; 1 pound 5 ounces sea bream, cleaned, pin bones removed, flesh cut into 1-inch pieces; 10 ounces basmati rice, cooked according to packet instructions, for serving

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Succulent sea bream in delicately spiced gravy.

Level: Easy
Total: 55 min

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 30 min

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 55 min

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 30 min

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

5 tablespoons mustard oil* or vegetable oil, divided

4 green cardamom pods, crushed*

4 cloves

3 small bay leaves

1 teaspoon panch phoran**

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 to 3 green chiles, pricked with a fork

2 rounded tablespoons ginger paste* (make your own by crushing or blending fresh ginger to a rough paste, adding water, if necessary, to loosen)

2 large cloves garlic, blended to a paste with 1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon ground coriander

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon red chile powder

Pinch paprika, optional

Kosher salt

14 ounces water

1 pound 5 ounces sea bream, cleaned, pin bones removed, flesh cut into 1-inch pieces

10 ounces basmati rice, cooked according to packet instructions, for serving

Directions

Heat 3 1/2 tablespoons mustard oil in a small nonstick pan over a medium heat until smoking. Remove the pan from the heat, and set aside for 20 to 30 seconds.
Add the cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaves, and panch phoran, and fry over a low heat, stirring well, until the mixture starts to darken in color.
Add the onion, and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened. Add the green chiles, ginger paste, and garlic paste, and continue to cook, stirring well, for another minute.
Add the coriander, cumin, turmeric, chile powder, paprika, if using, and salt, to taste, and stir well to combine, and then add the water. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then turn down the heat and simmer the mixture for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the volume of liquid has reduced. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a separate frying pan over a high heat, add the sea bream pieces, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes, turning once, until the fish pieces are golden brown on all sides. Add the fish to the spice mixture, adding more water as necessary to thin the sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Serve immediately with basmati rice.

Cook’s Note

*Can be found at specialty Asian markets. **A blend of equal quantities of fenugreek, nigella seeds, fennel seeds, cumin and mustard seeds, available from Asian supermarkets, also known as Bengali five-spice. Using fish heads in your curry will really enhance the flavor. If you find them offensive at the table, just leave them in the cooking pot and serve the rest of the fish.

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