Saturday, September 24, 2011

Doi Maach

New beginnings in Bengali homes usually feature fish! It’s tradition.

So after a hiatus of three months I am back to writing a new post. Let me clarify, I was never out of action (from the kitchen), but what I cooked in the last three months was nothing to write about!

005For those who are wondering about my inadequacy at updating a Blog which has evolved as a way of life for me, I have news! I gave birth to a beautiful (Yes, I am biased!) girl about a month ago. She is exactly 27 days old today, and already has a way with her eyes. She uses them to blackmail her parents. I have a feeling she will pout, purr and use other girlie ammunitions for extraction in the future. Just like her Mommy does.

So while my daughter takes her baby naps, I sneak into the kitchen and do a much-asked dish – the Doi Maach. Bengali for fish (it’s always Rohu) cooked in yogurt. This is a traditional Bengali dish which has found its way to weddings and occasional feasts. It often stands out for its silken texture and a balanced sweet, savoury and sour taste. And if you are lucky, you might even find plump raisins in the gravy!

005Essentially pieces of raw fish are introduced in the yogurt sauce once its cooked. However, many who do not like the idea of “raw” fish prefer to lightly fry the pieces of fish before they are dunked in the sauce. It’s also important that you choose the right pieces of fish – preferably the gada or the pieces from the back of the Rohu. Ask your fish monger and he will know!

Ingredients for Doi Maach are:

5-6 gada pieces of Rohu fish
6-7 tablespoons plain yogurt, whisked with half a cup of room temperature water
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons ginger paste
Half tablespoon garlic paste
10-12 raisins
2 bay leaves
2-3 black cardamoms
2-3 green cardamoms
1-2 sticks cinnamon
4-5 cloves
2 tablespoons ghee
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 heaped teaspoon red chili powder
Sugar
Salt

Heat ghee in a thick pan and add the whole spices – cardamoms, bay, cinnamon, cloves with the onions. Sauté till the onions are transparent. Add the raisins at this stage.

008007011Now add the ginger, garlic, red chili powder and turmeric and cook everything till lightly coloured. All on low-medium heat.
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Turn the heat to the lowest gas mark and gradually add the yogurt. Make sure you continuously mix the ingredients as you add the yogurt.
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It takes about 15-20 minutes of slow cooking, the pan covered all the time to cook the sauce.
016You will know when you see the oil bubbling at the sides of the pan. That’s when you know that the gravy is ready. Season with sugar and salt and gently slide in the pieces of fish. Make sure you are using an open-face pan to give you enough room to move around the fish.

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It takes about 8-10 minutes for the fish to cook through in the sauce. Do a last taste test and see if the Doi Maach has the right balance of taste. Remove from heat. Its best served with plain white rice.

28 comments:

Subramanian said...

It is so good to see you back! Missed your blog posts for quite some time now.
Congrats on the baby girl :-)

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

welcome back...:)
congrats on your cute princess..
recipe sound awesome with nice cliks.

Tasty Appetite

Suman said...

A big fat congratulations, Pree! Glad to have you back, and that too with doi maach.

Hyma said...

Congrats! this is the first post am reading from u after i started following you! Waiting to learn a lot of Bengali dishes...:-)Do visit my space when u find time...

Unknown said...

Congrats on the baby :)
Missed ur posts..

different strokes!! said...

congtss for the baby ; had been wondering since long where hav u been??

notyet100 said...

So that was the reason,..congrats .,,efts her name

Anonymous said...

AWESOME! congratulations... That is so so lovely!! Carry.. her.. Hug her.. hold her.. squeeze her.. for when she is 2.. she'd run away from you.. *smiles*. Good luck.. ;-)

sangeeta said...

Congratulations Pree for the nanhi paree:)

The recipe looks perfect to try this season ...I have had it only once and never have cooked it myself...

? said...

Congratulations! Good to see you back.
Have had this at a friends home and this looks delicious.

Seema said...

Hey Pree,

So glad to see you back. Waiting to hear more stories about your li'l princess. Enjoy motherhood...

Regards,
Seema
amchi-bong-konnexion.blogspot.com
seemabbas.blogspot.com

My Unfinished Life said...

congrats girl..since i do follow you on FB, i already knew about your new arrival..but still..congrats again!!

am so glad your back to posting!!

My Unfinished Life said...

congrats girl..since i do follow you on FB, i already knew about your new arrival..but still..congrats again!!

am so glad your back to posting!!

GB said...

So That's where you were! Congratulations and a biggggggg hug to you sweetie! and a big sloppy kiss for your little darling from her Gagan mashi!

Shanthi said...

Congratulations and welcome back. I agree with Patty - all other things can wait - just hug them, hold them and smile with them. They have all the time in the world for you :-)

Scribbler :) said...

Aww...look at those feet! lots of love to the little one. And great to see you back!

Sharon said...

Congratulations Pree! I am absolutely thrilled to hear this! And to the owner of those adorable feet - welcome!:)

Lotsa love and hugs, and (from one mommy to another) wishes for peaceful, uninterrupted nights!:)

Priya Suresh said...

Congrats Pree, hugs and kisses to ur lil darling...doi maach looks super tempting and absolutely inviting..

aipi said...

That is the sweetest picture I have seen in the blogsphere for a long time. Those little toes..just precious! Real heartfelt congratulations, enjoy your baby!
USMasala

Swati Sapna said...

Hey Pree! Good to have you back after the hiatus... Congratulations on your new bundle of joy and here's wishing you and your beautiful baby all the happiness, health, luck and love in the world!!
Thanks for the Doi Maach recipe... I'm a huge Bong food fan and this recipe is a keeper :)

Seema said...

Your recipes have always yielded me rave reviews. And so here I'm yet again with another from your list that I justed posted on my blog. Please check it out. And keep blogging!!! Hugs to you...

http://amchi-bong-konnexion.blogspot.com/2011/09/pepper-tangdi.html

Cham said...

Congrats and hugs to both of u:) The fish gravy is rich and creamy!

Pinku said...

awesome news about the baby.. :)

hope both of u are doing fine.

the fish looks awesome as always...but just have to put in a word of caution here. U are still weak inside. please rest as much as you can. eat healthy nutritious and non fuss stuff. the blog and people demanding nice food can wait.

But this is the healing time, dont take it lightly.

I started working full time and 2.5 months after giving birth and am now regreating the decision badly.

jayarawat said...

Many congratulations to proud parents...God bless the angel in ur life :)

Aankhi said...

Congratulations! Its good to see you back :)

Harshika said...

Achha ab boojhi ami! :) Lame bangla I know but yayyyy, you are back and in a new avataar that too!! Long time follower here...cant remember if I have commented before. But fcourse this news warrants a comment. Many congratulations for your baby. Enjoy being a mamma and be blessed-all 3 of you.
cheers
harshika
dubai

Sarah said...

Congratulations Pree! the fish curry looks lovely!

sra said...

Congratulations and best of luck! I thought I had commented here ...