Friday, 30 August 2024

Sundarbon Style Hilsa Pulao ( সুন্দরবন স্টাইল ইলিশ পোলাও)

 **ইলিশ পোলাও** (Hilsa Pulao) is a delightful Bengali dish combining aromatic rice with the rich flavors of hilsa fish. Here's a recipe for making it:


### Ingredients:

- **Hilsa fish**: 4-6 pieces, cleaned and cut

- **Basmati rice**: 1 cup

- **Onion**: 2 large, thinly sliced

- **Tomato**: 1 large, chopped

- **Green chilies**: 3-4, slit

- **Ginger-garlic paste**: 1 tablespoon

- **Yogurt**: 1/4 cup

- **Ghee (clarified butter)**: 2 tablespoons

- **Vegetable oil**: 2 tablespoons

- **Bay leaves**: 2

- **Cinnamon stick**: 1 inch

- **Green cardamom**: 3

- **Cloves**: 3-4

- **Cumin seeds**: 1 teaspoon

- **Basmati rice**: 1 cup, soaked for 30 minutes

- **Salt**: to taste

- **Sugar**: 1 teaspoon

- **Turmeric powder**: 1/2 teaspoon

- **Coriander powder**: 1 teaspoon

- **Garam masala**: 1 teaspoon

- **Fresh coriander leaves**: for garnishing

- **Water**: 1.5 cups


### Instructions:


1. **Preparation**:

   - Soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes and then drain.

   - Mix turmeric powder and salt with the hilsa pieces and set aside.


2. **Cooking the Fish**:

   - Heat oil in a pan and lightly fry the hilsa pieces until golden brown. Remove and set aside.


3. **Cooking the Pulao**:

   - In the same pan, add ghee. Add bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves, and cumin seeds. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.

   - Add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown.

   - Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute.

   - Add chopped tomatoes, green chilies, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and sugar. Cook until tomatoes soften and oil begins to separate.

   - Stir in the yogurt and cook for a couple of minutes.

   - Add the drained rice and mix gently to coat the rice with the spices.


4. **Simmering**:

   - Add water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is cooked and water is absorbed (about 15-20 minutes).

   - Gently fold in the fried hilsa pieces and sprinkle garam masala on top. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes.


5. **Garnishing**:

   - Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.


Enjoy your **ইলিশ পোলাও** hot, ideally with a side of yogurt or raita!

No comments:

Post a Comment