Ilish Macher Paturi

Ilish macher Paturi is a dish of Ilish Mach or Hilsha Fish cooked in Banana Leaf. It is one of the traditional Bengali Food The name of the dish itself speaks a lot about it. Its steamed in coconut by wrapping in Banana or Cabbage leaf.

Ingredients:::

• 4-5 pieces of Hilsha (cleaned and cut in round shape, picture 1)
• 5-6 tbs of grated Coconut/Coconut Milk
• 1tbs of Poppy seed paste
• 1/2 tbs of  Mustard seed paste
• 1 tea spoon of  Turmeric powder
• 4tbs of  Mustard oil
• 4 green Chillies cut length wise (seeds removed)
• 4-5 pieces of Cabbage leaves or Banana leaves (square in shape) I will use Cabbage leaves
• Salt to taste

Method:::

Marinate the fish pieces with Turmeric powder, Salt, grated Coconut, Poppy seed paste, Mustard seed paste and Mustard oil. Leave it for 1 hour.
Take the Cabbage leaves and put each pieces of fish along with a portion of gravy in each leaf.

Now wrap the pieces. Tie them with thread gently.

Place  these wrapped pieces in idli stand. Heat water in a Pressure cooker. 

When the water starts steaming, put the idli stand in the cooker and cover the cooker removing the whistle. 

Steam it for 20 minutes. Ilish Paturi is ready to be served with steamed white rice.

Tips::: For steaming one can use a rice strainer,or any thing as per the convenience.