Bhapa Ilish

Name: Bhapa Ilish
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 11 servings
Cuisine: Indian (Westbengal)
Ingredients: Hilsa fish fillets: 500g (4 equal pieces); Mustard paste: 4 tbsp (60g), made from white mustard powder; Green chillies: 4, minced; Ginger: 2 tbsp (30g), minced; Turmeric powder: 0.5 tsp (1.5g); Salt: to taste; Mustard oil: 15ml; Banana leaves: 4 pieces (20cm x 15cm), softened over flame

🍗 Non-veg🌾 Gluten-free📊 Medium

Traditional Recipe 4: Bhapa Ilish recipe

⏱️15 minPrep

🔥20 minCook

🕒35 minTotal

🍽️11Serves

🧺 Ingredients

Hilsa fish fillets: 500g (4 equal pieces)
Mustard paste: 4 tbsp (60g), made from white mustard powder
Green chillies: 4, minced
Ginger: 2 tbsp (30g), minced
Turmeric powder: 0.5 tsp (1.5g)
Salt: to taste
Mustard oil: 15ml
Banana leaves: 4 pieces (20cm x 15cm), softened over flame

👩‍🍳 How to make Bhapa Ilish

Mix mustard paste, green chillies, ginger, turmeric, salt, and mustard oil to form thick paste.
Soften banana leaf pieces by holding over open flame for 2-3 seconds per side.
Place fish fillet in center of each banana leaf.
Spread 2 tbsp mustard-ginger paste over each fillet.
Fold banana leaf edges to form secure packet.
Secure with toothpicks if needed.
Place packets in steamer basket or on steaming rack over boiling water.
Cover and steam over medium heat (100°C) for 15-18 minutes.
Fish should be fully cooked and flaking (test with fork).
Carefully remove packets from steamer (very hot).
Serve hot with steamed rice.

📖 Cultural notes

Bhapa ilish is a celebrated Bengali preparation method that steams hilsa fish in mustard paste, considered the most elegant way to cook this prized fish. ---

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