Hello and welcome to my blog today I would be sharing with you a delicious Bengali fish recipe, today  Iam sharing with you a delicious recipe of katla machher jhal which is rich in nutrients and contains good flavor and taste.

katla machher jhal

Katla macher jhal/ katla fish curry

katla machher jhal which is also called as katla fish curry it is a delicious bengali recipe which is a thick and nutritious curry and has rich flavors that is prepared with lightly fried katla fish with a blend of spices including garlic, onions, tomatoes, green chillies and coriander leaves and cooked in mustard oil on a aluminum kadhai and the dish is served with warm steaming rice, the taste of tomatoes and fresh coriander leaves are often added to give the dish a balance of spices and enhancement in the flavour.

Katla or catla is a freshwater fish species which is popular in India ; and the katla machher jhal which is prepared by this fish is characterized by its simplicity and healthfulness and also by its soothing qualities, it is a staple dish of bengalis which goes by the saying "Mache bhate bangali" which shows the importance of fish and rice in bengali culture making it a satisfying bengali diet.

Whether you are in bengali or if you live elsewhere in india, Katla machher jhal represents the comfort of home cooking and the rich culinary traditions of the Bengalis. 

Blog basic outline 

Ingredients for katla macher jhal 

• Katla machh or katla fish

• Seeds of mustard 

• 4 Green chilies 

• Garlic 

• Onions 

• Salt 

• Turmeric powder 

• Red chili powder 

• Mustard oil 

• Tomatoes 

• Fresh coriander leaves 

Ingredients for katla macher jhal

Preparations for katla macher jhal bengali recipe 

1. First marinate the fish pieces with salt turmeric powder, red chilli powder and mustard oil before cooking.

Marinating the fish

2. Paste the mustard seeds into a paste. You can also paste together mustard and green chilies and you can also add poppy seeds.

3. Take a aluminum kadhai and heat some mustard oil and add some turmeric powder.

Heating mustard oil

4. When the oil is heated add the fish pieces for frying, fry the both sides of fish pieces nicely with the oil until the fish pieces get a brown colour.

Adding the fish for frying

5. Now when the fish pieces are fried, Take out from the oil and keep them aside.

Frying the fish

6. Now add some more oil and stir it.

Add some more mustard oil

7. Add grated garlic and fry with the oil until it gets a brown colour.

Frying grated garlic

8. Now add the onions and fry together with the mustard oil until they form brown in colour. 

Adding and frying onions

9. Add the green chillies and the tomatoes, and mix together with the other ingredients nicely. 

Adding green chilies and tomatoes

10. Now add the salt to let the tomatoes get boiled and now add turmeric powder and red chili powder and fry nicely, now add some water and cook for some time and then cover the kadhai for some minutes.

Adding salt, turmeric and red chili powder

11. Open the cover and now add the mustard paste filtering out the solid part of the mustard as it will not get digested properly, add some water and mix by stirring for some time. Now once again cover the kadhai for some minutes.

Adding mustard paste(sorse bata)

12. Open the cover and you would see that the gravy is boiling now add the fish pieces one by one after that add the coriander leaves and stir gently for some minutes.

Adding the fried fish pieces to the gravy

13. Drizzle some raw mustard oil on the top as it will enrich the taste and flavor of the machher jhal, and now the katla machher jhal is ready to be served. 

Adding coriander leaves and raw mustard oil

 Tips for katla macher jhal 

1. Always use good quality of ingredients and the katla fish.
2. Fry the fish from all sides nicely until it forms a red colour.
3. Cover and cook the recipe.
4. Add mustard oil on the dish before taking out from the stove.

Katla macher jhal bengali recipe

Serving for katla macher jhal bengali recipe

Health benefits of katla macher jhal bengali recipe 

Katla machher jhal

1. Katla fish is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, potassium, selenium, iodine and vitamin A, these nutrients improves heart health, lowers the cholesterol, prevents arthritis, boost immunity and maintain eye health.

2. The spicy gravy of katla macher jhal is also beneficial for digestion, metabolism and appetite, it has antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can fight infections, can reduce inflammation and enhances blood circulation. 

3. katla macher jhal is a low-fat, high-protein and low carbohydrate dish that can help to control weight, blood sugar and blood pressure. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, which prevents constipation.

nutrition Information for shorshe katla machher jhal(per serving)
1 small bowl of shorshe katla machher jhal(150g)
calories	447kcal
Total fat	24.3g
Saturated Fat	3.5g
cholesterol	72mg
sodium	131mg
total carbohydrates	12.5g
dietary fiber	5.1g
sugars	5.9g
protein	44.9g
calcium	52mg
iron	2mg
potassium	358mg
phosphorus	—
Vitamin C	—
Vitamin A	—

Conclusion 

In conclusion, preparing katla macher jhal is a delicious and rewarding experience that brings together the flavours and aromas of Bengali cuisine. By following the simple steps outlined in this recipe you can impress your family and friends with a traditional dish that is sure to delight their taste buds, go ahead, gather your ingredients, fire the stove and enjoy the delightful journey of cooking the flavourful Bengali fish curry and fill your home with the wonderful smell of the spices and fish and your taste buds will thank you for the delicious dish. Happy cooking!  

Other recipes from my blog 

•Tomato chutney recipe

•Patta gobhi sabzi recipe

•Dal Tadka Recipe

•Bengali posto recipe

FAQ'S 

What is katla fish?

Katla fish is also known as catla which is a freshwater fish that belongs to the family of carp fish, it is widely consumed and cultivated in India, Bangladesh and neighboring countries. It has a large head with silver scales and a mild taste.

How to make mustard paste for katla machher jhal? 

To make mustard paste soak mustard seeds in water for 30 minutes, drain the water and grind it into a smooth paste you can also add some green chilies. You can use a mortar and pestle (shil-nora) or a mixer grinder.

What vegetables can be added to katla machher jhal? 

You can use various vegetables to katla machher jhal such as potatoes, tomatoes or cauliflower. The vegetables should be cut into medium-sized pieces and lightly fried before adding to the curry.

How to serve katla machher jhal?

Katla macher jhal is best served with warm steaming rice, you can also enjoy with roti, paratha or luchi. Sprinkle some fresh coriander leaves and drizzle some raw mustard oil on top for extra flavour.

Thanks for reading...

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