Everyone deserves a vacation and our house helps are not different. Our house helps are on Diwali vacation and what a time to go for the vacation. It’s not that they are going for a vacation for the first time since they have been associated with us but there are times when situations are extremely tricky and then resourcefulness, multi-skilling, stretched working hours become a regular feature and if you have a 2.5-year-old cute brat at home then – patience, caring, energetic, flexibility are some traits which become extremely essential.

Hot and spicy Pomphret fish curry 5

The quick enhanced eating experience

Every year, Diwali week becomes very hectic professionally, coupled with personal commitments. Professionally, all the clients have to be sent Diwali wishes religiously. After all, it’s them who ensure that Lakshmi walks into your home. As a morning person, I complete all my Social Media activities, blog writing, photo editing before breakfast. Mayhem also happens in the morning. Every 10 minutes, there is a doorbell and someone needs to be attended to. Tugga (my son) wakes up with tantrums seeking absolute attention. I get him ready for school, tell him stories while he brushes his teeth. I also have to play along with his toys while he has breakfast. Phew! It’s crazy.

Finally, with great effort, we managed to fulfill the commitments. Diwali lights getting fixed at midnight, the current issue of photography magazine being dropped into the fish aquarium, the Diwali party getting fixed, Tugga being taken out and so on.

Pomfret tel jhal for Diwali Lunch

In the midst of all this somehow Madhushree cooked this up for the Diwali Lunch ( no, unlike most people we don’t eat veg on Diwali / Kali Puja ) In her words – this dish is so easy to make with little prep time that without much effort you can elevate the taste of the meal and enhance the eating experience. Let me know how you guys like it.

 

Hot and spicy Pomphret fish curry 2

Close up of Pomfret Hot Curry with riceHot and spicy Pomphret fish curry 2

Ready to be servedDo try this recipe and share your feedback. You can reach out to us at our social media handles InstagramFacebook or any of our personal Facebook (Madhushree and Anindya) and Twitter profiles. Post a picture and tag us.

Pin this on your recipe board? You can find some awesome recipes at Pikturenama recipes in Pinterest

Pomfret Tel Jhal

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Fish Recipes, Main Course, Non Vegetarian
Cuisine Bengali, Indian
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 nos pomfret medium size
  • 1.5 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1.5 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 2 tsp black mustard paste
  • 4-5 tbsp mustard oil
  • 2 green chilies
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Wash the fish pieces and pat them dry. Marinade with 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and red chili powder for 10 minutes.
  • Take a kadai or a frying pan and add 2 tbsp mustard oil. When the oil is hot, gently slide in the pomfret one by one and fry on each side for a minute and half to 2 minutes.
  • Once done, take it out of the pan and keep aside.
  • Take a bowl and make a paste of all the ingredients, except green chillies. Add very little water to make a paste.
  • In the kadai, add the rest of the oil and let it become hot.
  • Add the masala to the oil and cook the masala over medium heat. Sprinkle water if necessary.
  • Add half a cup of water and let it simmer. In the simmering water, add the fish and stir around.
  • Finally, add split green chillies and turn off the heat.
  • Serve with steamed rice.
Keyword bengali fish curry, pomfret bengali recipe, pomfret macher jhol, pomfret tel jhaal, pomfret tel jhal