Dahi Machha – Curd Fish

INGREDIENTS:

• 1- 1 kg fish
• 2-3 tbsp. ginger, garlic paste
• 3- 2medium-sized onion ground to a paste
• 4- 1 cup yogurt (curd or dhai)
• 5-1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 6- 1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
• 7- 4 tbsps. mustard oil
• 8- 3/4 cloves
• 9- 5 black peppercorns
• 10-3 green cardamom
• 11- 1″ stick of cinnamon
• 12-1 bay leaf
• 13-1 large onion chopped fine
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION:

1. Mix the yogurt with the onion paste, red chilli powder, turmeric, ginger and garlic pastes and blend.
2. Add the fish pieces to this and gently mix to coat well.
3. Marinate for 2 hours.
4. Heat 3 tbsps. of the mustard oil on medium heat, in a deep pan till hot.
5. Add the whole spices – cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf and peppercorns – and fry till slightly darker.
6. Now add the chopped onion and fry till transparent.
7. Add the marinated fish and the marinade and mix gently but well.
8. Season with salt as required.
9. Stir occasionally.
10. Do this gently to avoid breaking the pieces of fish.
11. Cook till fish is done.
12. Serve it with hot plain rice.