Bethica's Kitchen Flavours: Macha Besara (Odisha Style Fish Curry)

This is a traditional Odisha style fish, cooked in a mustard-tomato based gravy. Dry mango slices are generally used for the tartness, but in the absence of it, I made use of tomato. It is cooked in mustard oil for an authentic taste and flavour.

This recipe is almost similar to Bengali style fish in mustard gravy, but with some variation. Relish this regional delicacy with hot steamed rice and a dash of lime. So check the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

5 pieces of Rohu Fish
1 tsp. lime juice
1 onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves
1 tbsp. mustard seeds
2 green chillies
4 tbsp. mustard oil
1 tsp. panch phoron
2 bay leaves
1-2 whole red chilies
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin powder
salt to taste
1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
1 tsp. ghee

Marinate the fish with a pinch of salt, turmeric powder, chili powder, lime juice and 1 tsp. mustard oil for 10 minutes.

Grind the mustard seeds along with the green chilies, garlic and tomatoes to a paste. Keep aside.

Heat remaining oil in a pan and shallow fry the fish pieces till light brown on both sides. Drain and keep aside.

Temper the same oil with panch phoron, whole dry red chilies and bay leaves. Sauté for a few seconds and then add the onion. Fry till light brown.

Add the ground paste, chili powder, cumin powder and turmeric powder. Sauté till oil leaves the sides of the pan.

Add 1 & 1/2 cups water and bring it to a boil. Add salt, green chilies and the fried fish pieces. Simmer on low flame till the gravy is slightly thick.

Add coriander leaves and ghee. Switch off the flame and transfer to a serving dish. Serve hot with steamed rice.