One of the authentic odia recipes that has always been close to my heart is the 'Maccha Poda' which literally translates into burnt fish. It is prepared by first marinating the fish in a mustard paste, then wrapping it up in 'sala patra' or Sal leaves and finally popping it in the dying embers of a wood/charcoal fire. But as more conventional cooking appliances came up, people started putting all the ingredients together in a thick bottomed vessel and cooking it on a very low flame. While this variant tastes quite yummy, the authentic version flavored with the smokey scent of the Sal leaves just happens to be out of this world. I myself dream of making this in an OTG in case I get my hands on some Sal leaves.
I happen to have a rather emotional connection with this dish. My grandmother absolutely loved it and did brilliant job of preparing it . Infact I havn't tasted a better one . Though it is quite easy to prepare, one has to get proportion of the ingredients right and use the right quantity of spice/oil.
Read on for the recipe -
Preparation Time - 40 mins ( including standby time )
Ingredients -
Preparation - Wash the fish pieces. Marinate with a pinch of salt and turmeric. Let it sit for 5 mins.
First grind the mustard seeds and dry red chili. Then add 1 green chili and 4 garlic cloves along with a little water. Grind again into a fine paste.
Add the mustard paste to the fish. Also add the slit green chili, crushed garlic cloves, salt, turmeric, 1 tsp mustard oil and about 1 cup of water. Mix and let it sit for 15-20 mins.
Cooking - Take everything in a thick bottomed pan. And let it cook uncovered for about 15 mins till the gravy forms a thick layer around the fish. Remove from the flame.
Drizzle the mustard oil and sprinkle chopped cilantro before serving (hot). Tastes best with steaming hot rice and yellow dal !
I happen to have a rather emotional connection with this dish. My grandmother absolutely loved it and did brilliant job of preparing it . Infact I havn't tasted a better one . Though it is quite easy to prepare, one has to get proportion of the ingredients right and use the right quantity of spice/oil.
Read on for the recipe -
Preparation Time - 40 mins ( including standby time )
Ingredients -
- 3 pieces of Rohu/Catla fish
- 2 tsp mustard seeds
- 7 garlic cloves
- 1 dry red chili
- 2 green chilis
- 2 pinch turmeric
- salt to taste
- 1 1/2 tsp mustard oil
- 1 tsp chopped coriander leaves
Preparation - Wash the fish pieces. Marinate with a pinch of salt and turmeric. Let it sit for 5 mins.
First grind the mustard seeds and dry red chili. Then add 1 green chili and 4 garlic cloves along with a little water. Grind again into a fine paste.
Add the mustard paste to the fish. Also add the slit green chili, crushed garlic cloves, salt, turmeric, 1 tsp mustard oil and about 1 cup of water. Mix and let it sit for 15-20 mins.
Cooking - Take everything in a thick bottomed pan. And let it cook uncovered for about 15 mins till the gravy forms a thick layer around the fish. Remove from the flame.
Drizzle the mustard oil and sprinkle chopped cilantro before serving (hot). Tastes best with steaming hot rice and yellow dal !