Bengalies are very fond of Fishes and particular about the quality of the Fish, Bengalis are also very unique in their Fish preparations, if it is for any Bengali catering in any occasion like wedding/ Marriage/ Annaprasan (Baby’s first Rice-eating ceremony)/ “Shaad” (Bengali ritual for feeding of a pregnent woman)/ “Matso Mukh” (last ritual performed for demised) their first priority should be the quality of the fishes and the preparations of them, Many traditional Bengali families prefer Fish & Prawn to Mutton and Chicken in their Wedding/Marriage Catering Menu for treating their guests
Among all other great Bengali Fish preparations “Pathuri Machh” (Fish in Banana Leaf) is very popular, there are varieties of fishes used for this preparation and most commonly used Fishes are “Illish” (a Fish from herring family), “Chingri” (Shrimp) and Vetki (Baramundi)
Below is the picture of “Vetki Pathuri” cooked La Fiesta style
Ingredients used for preparation “Vetki Pathuri” at La Fiesta:
1) Good quality of Vetki Fish fillet Cut into cube – 1 Kg
2) White mustard seeds – 2 table spoon
3) Black mustard seeds – 1 table spoon
4) Poppy seeds – 1 table spoon
5) Freshly Grated coconut – 1/4 cup
6) Whole cumin seeds – 2 table spoon
7) Green Chili paste – 1 table spoon
8) Turmeric powder – 1 table spoon
9) Sugar – 1 tea spoon
10) Mustard oil – 500 ml
11) Salt to taste
12) secret seasonings
13) Banana Leaf for wrapping
14) Wooden toothpicks
For marination:
Grind white mustard, black mustard, poppy seeds, freshly grated coconut, cumin seeds into a smooth paste. In a medium size container mix the vetki fish with the paste, add green chili paste, add turmeric powder, add sugar,add salt, secret seasoning added, add 100 ml of mustard oil and mix well, keep the marinade aside
Method:
Cut the banana leaves into square shape big enough to wrap the fish completely, now wilt all the cut banana leaves on open fire to make it more pliable, arrange the leaves on a surface and put marinaded fish in the leaves as shown in the picture
wrap the fish and fix it with wooden toothpicks
Now on a large skillet heat the remaining mustard oil and fry the the fish wrapped in banana leaf turning it until the leaves turn black
There is another popular method of cooking the fish pathuri and that is steaming method, The taste of the item vary in the way the “Fish Pathuri” is prepared, Steam rice is the best accompaniment with the dish
