Another Delicious Bengali Dish - "Bhetki Macher Paturi (Barramundi fish wrapped in banana leaf)

Hello readers, Today I'll share with you a heavenly tasty Bengali fish recipe called "Bhetki Macher Paturi"(Barramundi Fish wrapped in banana leaf). Few people believe it came to India from Bangladesh (Dhaka), some says that this dish influenced by Parsi dish 'patrani macchi', so there is a controversy.

Ingredients:-

1. Bhetki fish fillets- 10 fillets cut into 4×2 inch pieces.

2.Whole Black mustard- 2 tbs.

3 Whole white mustard-1 tbs.

1. Poppy seeds-1 tbs.

2. Green chilies-10 pieces.(3-4 whole and remaining slit).

3. Fresh Grated coconut- 1/2 cup.

4. Mustard oil- 3 tbs.

5. Turmeric powder- 2tsp.

6. Sugar-1/2 tsp.

7. Salt- To taste.

8. Fresh lemon juice-1 tsp.

9. Banana leaf- 1 ( cut into 10×8 rectangular shape).

10. Thread- As required.

Preparation Method:-

Step 1- Take a bowl and marinate fish fillets with salt, turmeric powder (1 tsp) and fresh lime juice, keep aside for 20 minutes.

Step 2- Now make a paste with both mustard seeds, poppy seeds, 3-4 green chilies with some salt and 1/2 tsp sugar by adding little water. Keep aside for 10 minutes.

Step 3- Take a bowl add grated coconut, (step-2) with remaining turmeric powder make a fine mixture.

Step 4- Warm banana leaves over an open low flame for 30 seconds make sure it doesn't get burnt.

Step 5- Now take the marinated fish fillets and coat them well with 1 tbs mustard oil.

Step 6- Put banana leaves glossy side up over a plate, rub a little mustard oil on it. Now Spread 1 tsp of marinated paste(step-3) and place 1 piece fillet on the paste and put another tea spoon of (step -3) marinated paste on the top, so that the fillet can cover by the paste from both sides. Place a green chili slit on top of it.

Step 7- Fold the banana leaf like a square parcel and tie with thread, repeat the process for all the fish pieces.Tie them very well that parcel will not open during cooking.

Step 8- Now take a non-stick pan (Tawa) grease some oil on it and place the banana wrapped fish parcel on it. Place them according the size of your pan (Tawa).

Step 9- Cover the pan with heavy lid and cook them for 8-9 minutes on each side in medium low flame.

Step 10- Now it's done take them out from banana leaf and serve with steam plain rice.

N.B. This article was also published on my personal blog : https://sduttaskitchen.blogspot.com/