Photograph of the finished Ilish bhapa

India · Cá hấp mù tạt lá chuối Ilish bhapa

Ilish bhapa

45 min Hands-on time + 30 min waiting
MediumDifficulty
6 stepsSteps
Serves 4 Amounts follow along 4

What to get ready

  • Photograph of Sea fish fillet Sea fish fillet 2.8 lb
  • Photograph of Mustard seeds Mustard seeds 3.5 oz
  • Photograph of Mustard oil Mustard oil ⅔ cup
  • Photograph of Unsweetened yogurt Unsweetened yogurt 8.5 oz
  • Photograph of Turmeric powder Turmeric powder 0.6 oz
  • Photograph of Green finger chillies Green finger chillies 16
  • Photograph of Banana leaves Banana leaves 8 sheets
  • Photograph of Salt Salt 0.7 oz
  • Photograph of Sugar Sugar 0.8 oz
  • Photograph of Steamed rice Steamed rice 1.8 lb

Method

  1. 1 Soak mustard seeds for 30 minutes, then blend them with green chilies and a little water to form a yellow paste.
  2. 2 Mix mustard paste with yogurt, turmeric, mustard oil, salt, and a pinch of sugar.
  3. 3 The sugar here isn't for sweetening, but to cut through the pungent bitterness of the ground mustard.
  4. 4 Marinate the fish fillets in the sauce for 20 minutes, then lightly heat the banana leaves to make them pliable.
  5. 5 Wrap the fish and all the sauce in banana leaves to form a tight package and tie it with string.
  6. 6 Steam the wrapped fish for 18 minutes; steam in a tightly sealed package to prevent the mustard oil from evaporating and to ensure the fish cooks through with the sauce.

With an appliance

  • Microwave 38 min

    Replace step 6: place the banana leaf-wrapped fish package on a plate and microwave at 700 W for 8 minutes, resting for 2 minutes before opening to retain the mustard oil aroma; steps 1–5 remain the same.

Start cooking