Degchi
A thin, turmeric-forward Bengali fish stew with potato, simmered in mustard oil and finished with a pinch of panch phoron spice blend. Light and soupy, it's the everyday fish curry eaten over steamed rice.
Quick answer: 50 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Fish, Turmeric, Red chilli powder, Mustard oil · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 600 g 1.3 lb Fish, cut into steaks
- 1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Red chilli powder
- 4 tbsp 4 tbsp Mustard oil
- 2 pc 2 pc Potato, cut into wedges
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Ginger, paste
- 1 pc 1 pc Tomato, chopped
- 1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp Salt, to taste
- 1 pc 1 pc Onion, sliced (Optional)
- 3 pc 3 pc Green chilli, slit (Optional)
Steps
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- Rub the fish steaks with turmeric and salt and let them sit for 15 minutes.⏱ Resting fish · 15 min
- Heat mustard oil until it smokes lightly, then shallow-fry the fish pieces until golden on both sides; set aside.⏱ Frying fish · 8 min
- In the same oil, fry potato wedges until lightly golden; remove and set aside.⏱ Frying the potato · 6 min
- Add sliced onion and ginger paste to the same oil; fry until the onion softens.⏱ Frying the onion · 4 min
- Add chopped tomato and remaining turmeric and chilli powder; cook until the tomato softens.⏱ Cooking the tomato · 3 min
- Add 3 cups of water, the fried potatoes and green chillies; bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.⏱ Simmering curry · 10 min
- Slide the fried fish back in and simmer gently for 5 more minutes; serve hot with steamed rice.⏱ Simmering gently · 5 min
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Machher Jhol take?
50 minutes in total: about 20 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.
Is Machher Jhol hard to make?
Degchi rates it medium. The method has 7 steps, and 7 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Machher Jhol serve?
This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Machher Jhol halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Machher Jhol?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: turmeric, red chilli powder, salt. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: fish, potato, ginger, tomato. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: mustard oil.
Any tips for making Machher Jhol?
Frying the fish briefly before adding it to the curry keeps the pieces from breaking apart while simmering.
Notes and questions
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Fresh rohu is hard to find abroad. Frozen steaks work if you thaw them well, dry them, and treat them gently in the pan. Here is the method and the swaps.
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Cooking terms in this recipe: Mustard oil
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