Machher Paturi (Bengali style Mustard fish in Banana leaf)

This is a part of the series ……. For the Chef in u

Contributed by YUMMRAJ’s favourite Chef ANONYMOUS
Super easy to make & Super good to eat……………

Machher paturi (fish in banana leaf)

U can try this with boneless fillets of fishes like betki or even with pieces of Hilsa (ilish) that have bones. U can try this recipe with prawns as well.

For all of u who stay in Coastal states of India, procuring banana leaf is easy. For the rest, there are markets in all cities that sell regional food – check those places out. In case u do not get it, use aluminum foil instead. The taste will almost be the same. The flavor of banana leaf will be missing.

banana leaves cut into square pieces for paturi

Take 1 inch size cubes of 300 grams boneless betki / standard sized pieces of other fish like hilsa.

Grind 3 tablespoons of mustard with 4 green chillies to a smooth paste. Grate ¼ coconut & keep aside.

The ingredients of machher paturi

Mix together the mustard paste, grated coconut, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon mustard oil & salt to taste. Apply this paste to the fish pieces evenly & leave it to marinate for 1 hour.

marinated fish chunks

Cut the banana leaves into approx. 15cm X 15 cm squares. In order to make the banana leaf foldable, hold it over direct flame for a while. Without this process the banana leaf will be brittle.

un-brittling the banana leaves

Add 2 chunks of marinated fish on each banana leaf.

Place the marinated fish chunks on banana leaf

Try to do this process together like in an assembly line.

placing the fish chunks on banana leaf like in an assembly line

While I mentioned this is super easy to make, let me warn u that u might get bored at the next stage. I recommend that u try this dish with a friend around with whom u can chat while cooking & also get some help………..

Fold the banana leaf around the fish chunks

Fold the banana leaf as shown in the picture & tie it with a cotton thread. In case u r using aluminium foil, u do not need to tie – just seal the foil.

tie the banana leaf wrapped fish parcel with cotton thread

Take a flat tawa (griddle) & place. Heat one tablespoon of mustard oil till it smokes. Place the banana leaf parcels on the tawa, cover with a lid & slow cook on low fire for approx. 10 minutes / till the green leaf starts showing brown patches.

paturis on the tawa (griddle)

Turn the parcels post that & repeat the same process……………………. & ur mouthwatering paturi is ready

Color & texture of banana leaf changes after cooking for 10 minutes

Enjoy this dish with steamed rice / just like that.

fish paturi as served on the plate

Note: U may also bake / steam the parcels instead of slow cooking in a tawa.

2 thoughts on “Machher Paturi (Bengali style Mustard fish in Banana leaf)

  1. Just spotted this, Somdebda–seems like your Photobucket storage is all dried out. Hope you can restore all the lickilicious pics; Anonymous is bound to take umbrage otherwise!😎

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