Food innovations are all about following one's instincts and cravings. And breaking all those rules can sometimes lead to delicious results. Most of my signature recipes are lessons in sheer craziness and yet they are delectable without a doubt. This Sunday my family had to put up with yet another episode of madness when I decided to cook the much revered Rohu fish head in a Punjabi style gravy topped up with a dash of Chinese flavoring.
Needless to say, husband had his reservations. He argued that the most prized part of the Rohu's anatomy could have been put to better use. "With a plethora of Odia recipes available, what is the need to try something else ?", he put forward his views. But I had become smitten by another recipe posted by a dear friend on Facebook and I just had to try this variation. The Chinese bit was my addition as I did not want a dominant 'garam masala' flavor. And the final product turned out to be drool-worthy.
Read on for the recipe -
Preparation Time - 35 mins
Ingredients -
Preparation - Marinate the fish head and tail with 1/4 tsp turmeric and salt . Let it stand for 15 mins.
Grind the onion to a fine paste and keep aside.
Puree the tomato and keep aside
Cooking - Heat 2 tsp oil in a non-stick . Add the fish head and tail and fry for 7-8 mins . Then lightly crush the fish head so that it turns up a little more crisp. The whole process should take about 15 mins on a medium flame. Remove and keep aside.
Peel and cut the potato into 4 parts. Add it to the same wok and fry till they turn light brown on the sides. Remove and keep aside.
Add the remaining oil to the wok. Add the whole spices and fry till fragrant.
Add the ginger and garlic paste and cook for 2-3 mins.
Add the onion paste and cook to a light brown.
Finally add the tomato puree with the soy sauce and remaining powdered spices. Cook till oil starts to leave the sides.
Add the fried fish head, tail and potato pieces. Saute for 1-2 mins before adding 1 cup hot water. Cover and let cook for 6-7 mins or till potatoes are done.
Now add the chopped garlic and spring onions. Simmer for a minute.
Remove from the flame and serve hot with steamed rice or rotis !!
Needless to say, husband had his reservations. He argued that the most prized part of the Rohu's anatomy could have been put to better use. "With a plethora of Odia recipes available, what is the need to try something else ?", he put forward his views. But I had become smitten by another recipe posted by a dear friend on Facebook and I just had to try this variation. The Chinese bit was my addition as I did not want a dominant 'garam masala' flavor. And the final product turned out to be drool-worthy.
Read on for the recipe -
Preparation Time - 35 mins
Ingredients -
- 1 Fish head ( big one cut into two halves )
- 1 Fish Tail
- 1 mediun sized potato
- 1 medium sized onion
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cloves
- 2 inch cinnamon
- 6-7 peppercorns
- 1 large country tomato
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup finely chopped spring onions
- 1-2 slit green chilis
- 1-2 finely chopped garlic cloves
- salt to taste
- 3 tsp oil
Preparation - Marinate the fish head and tail with 1/4 tsp turmeric and salt . Let it stand for 15 mins.
Grind the onion to a fine paste and keep aside.
Puree the tomato and keep aside
Cooking - Heat 2 tsp oil in a non-stick . Add the fish head and tail and fry for 7-8 mins . Then lightly crush the fish head so that it turns up a little more crisp. The whole process should take about 15 mins on a medium flame. Remove and keep aside.
Peel and cut the potato into 4 parts. Add it to the same wok and fry till they turn light brown on the sides. Remove and keep aside.
Add the remaining oil to the wok. Add the whole spices and fry till fragrant.
Add the ginger and garlic paste and cook for 2-3 mins.
Add the onion paste and cook to a light brown.
Finally add the tomato puree with the soy sauce and remaining powdered spices. Cook till oil starts to leave the sides.
Add the fried fish head, tail and potato pieces. Saute for 1-2 mins before adding 1 cup hot water. Cover and let cook for 6-7 mins or till potatoes are done.
Now add the chopped garlic and spring onions. Simmer for a minute.
Remove from the flame and serve hot with steamed rice or rotis !!
