Macher Matha diye Moong Dal || Bengali special Moong Dal recipe with Fish Head

Macher matha diye moong dal or moong dal cooked with fish head. This is an exciting proposition altogether and a very popular recipe amongst we bongs. We are always tend to have more non veg dishes, and hence we keep on experimenting with non veg items with veggies, dal etc. Whenever we buy fish, we always make sure to get the big size fish so that the "Fish head" can be engineered for effective use, be it Murighonto or Macher matha diye Moong Dal. This is a simple recipe where we use onions, garlics, ginger garam masala to make this is rich one. the flavor from the fish head and the thick consistency of the dal makes it a complete dish. You don't need anything else in the menu if you have this awesome dal with steamed rice. 

Ingredients

1. Fish head - I have used Basa fish head / you can use Rohu or anything that is available
2. Moong Dal - 1/2 cup
3. Onion - finely chopped - 1
4. Bay leaf - 1
5. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
6. Cloves - 2
7. Green cardamom - 2-3
8. Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp
9. Tomatoes - 1 big chopped
10. Cumin powder 1/2 tsp
11. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
12. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
13. Mustard oil - 2 tsp
14. Green chillies - 2-3 (as per your taste buds)
15. Salt to taste

Process

1. Wash and clean the fish head properly and let it dry. Rub turmeric powder and little bit of salt on the fish head and keep aside.

2. Add oil in a frying pan  and one the oil is hot, fry the fish heads at medium heat so that they doesn't burn but cooks well inside. Keep aside once done.

3. In a separate pan, dry roast moong dal till it gives fragrance, just lightly dry roast and then wash and drain the water.

4. Cook the dal with 2 cups of water and little bit of turmeric powder and salt. 

5. Now, in the frying pan (the same pan can be used in which fish heads were fried) first add little oil, bay leaf, cumin seeds, cardamom and cloves. When they starts to splutter add onion and saute them for 2-3 minutes. Add ginger garlic paste and chopped tomatoes. Mix everything nicely and then add powder spices (cumin coriander and red chilli). Fry till the raw smell goes off and oil starts to release from the side.

6. Now add the pressure cooked dal and add some more water to get the desired consistency, if required. 

7. Break the fish head into pieces and add to the boiling dal. Let it cook for another 5-7 minutes till the fish head becomes soft. In the meanwhile, check the salt and seasoning and add salt if required. 

8. Once the dal is ready, drizzle some ghee and turn off the flame. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Mangalorean fish curry

Super spicy and full of flavor, this Mangalorean fish curry will surely satisfy your taste buds. Serve Mangalorean fish curry along with steamed rice for a perfect Mangalorean meal (And if you have banana leaves to serve it, Bang on!!)

Ingredients

1. Fish (king fish or Pangasius or any of your choice) 
2. Black pepper powder - 1 tsp
3. Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
4. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
5. Salt - 1 tsp
6. Dry red chilli - 3-4
7. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
8. Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
9. Green chillies - 3-4
10. Garlic - 5-6
11. Mustard oil 
12. Onion - 1 big finely chopped
13. Curry leaves - handful 
14. Curd - 2 tsp
15. Coriander leaves - for garnishing

Process 

1. In a bowl, add black pepper powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt. Add little water and mix them properly and keep aside.

2. Heat a frying pan and add red chillies, cumin, coriander, green chillies, garlic and roast them till aromatic. Let them cool down and them make a coarse grind. 

3. Add oil in the frying pan and saute chopped onion and curry leaves. Once the onions are little brown add the grinded masala. Mix well and let it fry for few minutes

4. Now add the powdered masala paste and check the salt, if required you can add little more. Fry for few more minutes and then add curd and little water. Mix well and add the fish pieces. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, cover with a lid.

5. Sprinkle some fresh coriander leaves once done. Serve hot with steamed rice. 

P.S. The recipe reel is up on my Instagram page. Check it out @romisrecipe