Unwrap a Bengali Dream: Bhetki Paturi With Mustard Twist

Bhetki Macher Paturi, a Bengali delight, features flaky Barramundi fish marinated in a fragrant mustard paste and steamed in banana leaves. This recipe yields around 10 servings and takes about an hour to prepare.

Here’s how to make it: marinate the fish in lemon juice and salt, grind mustard seeds into a paste, then mix it with grated coconut, green chilies, and spices. Wrap the fish in banana leaf parcels filled with the flavorful paste, and steam or bake until cooked through. Enjoy this aromatic dish with steamed rice!

Ingredients

• For the Fish
  • 750 gms Bhetki fish (boneless, cut into 10 pieces)
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)

• For the Mustard Paste
  • 2 tbsp Black mustard seeds
  • 2 tbsp Yellow mustard seeds
  • 8-10 Green chilies
  • 4 tbsp Mustard oil

• Other Ingredients
  • 6 tbsp Grated coconut
  • 1 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1 Banana leaf (large)
  • 3-4 Gourd leaves (optional)
  • Thread (or toothpicks)

Instructions

1. Wash the fish pieces and marinate them with lemon juice and half of the salt for 1 hour.
2. Grind the black and yellow mustard seeds with a little salt into a thick paste. You can strain it to remove the husks.
3. Make a paste with the green chilies.
4. In a bowl, combine the mustard paste, grated coconut, green chili paste, remaining salt, turmeric powder, and mustard oil. Mix well.
5. Prepare the banana leaves. Wash and dry them. Cut them into squares large enough to wrap the fish pieces comfortably. You can toast them gently over medium heat to make them more pliable.
6. Place a fish piece on a banana leaf square. Spread some of the mustard paste mixture over the fish. You can add a few thin slices of green chilies for extra spice.
7. Wrap the banana leaf around the fish, forming a parcel. Secure it with thread or a toothpick. Repeat with the remaining fish pieces and banana leaves.
8. You can steam the paturi in a steamer basket over boiling water for 20-25 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through. Alternatively, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 200°C for 20-25 minutes.
9. Enjoy the Bhethi Macher Paturi hot with steamed rice.

Tips

• You can adjust the amount of green chilies according to your spice preference.
• If you don’t have gourd leaves, you can skip them.
• For a richer flavor, you can add a dollop of yogurt to the mustard paste mixture.
• Be careful while handling hot banana leaves.

Enjoy making this delicious homemade Bhetki Macher Paturi!