🍽️ Ilish Macher Bhuna – Spicy Stir-fried Hilsa Recipe
“Ilish Macher Bhuna” is an exquisite, spicy Bengali delicacy prepared by stir-frying the iconic Hilsa (Ilish) fish, offering aromatic flavors and a rich, savory experience.
🛒 Ingredients:
🐟 Fresh Hilsa (Ilish) Fish – 6-8 pieces
🌰 Onion – 2 medium-sized (finely chopped)
🍅 Tomato – 1 medium-sized (chopped)
🌶️ Green chilies – 4-5 (slit lengthwise)
🧄 Garlic paste – 1 tsp
🧅 Ginger paste – 1 tsp
🍋 Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
🌶️ Red chili powder – 1 tsp
🍛 Cumin powder – 1 tsp
🍲 Coriander powder – 1 tsp
🍃 Bay leaf – 2 pieces
🧂 Salt – according to taste
🌿 Fresh coriander leaves – handful (chopped)
🍈 Mustard oil – 4 tbsp
🍋 Lemon juice – 1 tsp (optional)
🍳 Cooking Process: 🧑🍳 Step-by-step Instructions: Step 1: 🐟 Preparation
Wash the Hilsa fish pieces thoroughly.
Marinate the fish with turmeric and a little salt for about 15 minutes.
Step 2: 🍲 Initial Frying
Heat mustard oil in a frying pan until smoky, then reduce the flame to medium.
Gently fry the marinated fish pieces for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: 🍛 Cooking the Bhuna Masala
In the same oil, add bay leaves and sauté for 30 seconds.
Add chopped onions and fry until golden brown.
Next, mix in garlic and ginger paste, sauté for another 2 minutes.
Add tomatoes and green chilies; cook until tomatoes soften.
Step 4: 🌶️ Spice Mixture
Mix turmeric, cumin, coriander, and red chili powders into the pan.
Add salt to taste, sprinkle some water, and cook until the oil separates from the spices.
Step 5: 🔥 Final Stir-Frying
Gently place fried Hilsa fish pieces into the masala.
Stir carefully to coat the fish with the spices evenly.
Cook on low flame for about 5-7 minutes, allowing spices to penetrate the fish.
Step 6: 🌿 Garnishing and Serving
Sprinkle freshly chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice (optional).
Serve hot with steamed rice 🍚 or traditional Bengali pulao.
🥘 Enjoy Your Meal! Dive into the authentic flavors of Bengal and savor the spicy, aromatic taste of Ilish Macher Bhuna . Ideal for special occasions or a delightful weekend feast.
📌 References & Credits: Discover more about the famed Sundarban Hilsa festival Sundarban ilish utsav
Recipe inspired by traditional Bengali cuisine.
... read more team members for making our trip memorable one.
Alaya NayakMarch 17, 2022
... read more customised their programme for our convenience at their best. The boat waiting for us at Gadkhali was decent, neat & clean. The cooperation and helpful gesture of the Boatman Bapibabu and crew Pulak charmed us. The trip through the creeks and distributaries of the rivers of Sunderban became more enjoyable with the excellent taste of food cooked by Bhaskar in the running boat. The property named “Sabuj Dwip” under Lahiripur Gram Panchayat where we were parked at the day-end, was a resort having cottages with clean Rooms, modern Bathrooms & standard amenities including Generator along with a few shortfalls like lack of Geyser, AC, Toilet-shower, Kitchen/Kitchenet, Waste paper bin, Wall Hangers etc., though all such lacuna were covered by the sincere and hearty efforts of the servicemen. The owner may solve these minor problems by purchasing items of trivial value like Emersion Heater, Toilet-shower, Electric Cattle, Waste paper basket & Wall hangers. On 5th December, when the cyclone turned its face to Sunderban, the superb teamwork of Sonakshi rescued us through an alternative safe land-route maintaining our all urbane comfort upto the satisfaction. The courteous behaviour and delicious tasty food are the value-added satisfaction of this trip over the honest, humble and sincere approach of the owner Shuvabratababu which is highly appreciable. I highly recommend Sunderban Trip through this Travels.
Snehansu GangopadhyayMarch 17, 2022
... read more food with rustic touch...You're at a right place..Being at a place which is remote, Dinner variety options may be limited but enough to satisfy you..I had Aged people n kid travelling with me and they were taken good care..The accommodation & boat ride were very comforting n all the staffs, tour guide were helpful..I will recommend them to Families, friends for sure.
Arunima RoyMarch 11, 2023
... read more are very well organised to set up this Sunderban tour in terms of fooding lodging and irrespective every things which relates to this particular tour. Me and my family has a mind blowing experience. Thanks Subhabrata Talukdar to you and to your team for giving us a memorable experience.
Sagar BanerjeeJanuary 17, 2023
Sandhya BhideDecember 17, 2022
... read more boat is undercover with green carpet,so it'is looking beautiful,all management are peaceful Jumur dance is wonderful our all member danced with Jumur dancers we are all coming a sweet memories. Thanks to continue Mr Talukder.
Avijit SarkarMarch 17, 2022
... read more package. Here are few points I would like to mention regarding the tour. PROS: 1) The tour organiser, Mr Talukdar gave us a very clear account of the package and there were no hidden cost. 2) We were appointed a manager ( Mr Subrata) during the tour, who was very polite in his dealings. Since I was travelling with my 4 yr old daughter, I had requested him to make few extra arrangements ( in meal) for her ….for which I never had to remind him again and all my requirements were taken care off. 3 ) since we were only 3 families travelling on one boat, we had enough space to ourselves as compared to other boats I saw during the trip were overly crowded. 4) Food was good and the preparation was quite homely. 5)As we had to spend considerable amount of time on the boat…. I was little apprehensive about the cleanliness of the washroom on the boat. But to my surprise, the washroom was sparkling clean. CONS: 1) Though the hotel we were made to stay was very well located… but the rooms were very basic. Rooms are newly made but not very well maintained. The floor of the rooms felt like they were not dusted and mopped in days.There were cobwebs here and there and bathroom had few centipedes. To my opinion..rooms could have been better than what was provided. Overall, it was a well organised trip and Mr Talukdar kept checking on us during the trip which I truly appreciate. We thoroughly enjoyed. And I would certainly recommend Sundarban Travel to my friends and family.
Vaishali SenguptaMarch 17, 2022
Gourav GhoshJanuary 17, 2023
... read more local people was truly a fun filled surprise.
Pronami SarkarMarch 17, 2022
... read more the stuff were very polite (Special mention- dipankar da).They did everything with professional manner with touch of heart. Strongly recommend them.
ataur rahamanMarch 17, 2022
... read more date of departure our resort also exceptionally good I sincerely thanks to all cruise staff and manager to Mr. Talukdar.
Ashis RoySeptember 17, 2022
... read more tour confirmation 7/10. I paid advance for booking after checking the availability. But after making the payment, I was informed the required dates are not available and I had to change my dates. Communication of programs are also not up to the mark. 2. Transfer from Kolkata to Gadkhali & Return 8/10. Onward journey driver was new and not carrying proper documents for Vehicle. Stuck at Ghatakpukur for more than 30 minutes in a police checking. Return journey was better but the vehicle given was too old. 3. Boat Arrangements from Gadkhali 10/10. Good & comfortable. Well decorated boat with well behaved staffs. 4. Accommodation 10/10. Very good place selection and enjoyed the staying. This point you will get a bonus point. 5. Food 8/10. First day lunch was awesome but next meals were just below par. Lacking variety. I came to know few other agencies are offering more variants in their service. Finally thanks to all your staffs in the boat and in the hotel. Specially mentioning Tapas, Bapi, your cook and Subrata for their service.
Sibagi GhoshMarch 17, 2022
... read more homely environment, mainly we are extremely impressed the condition of the boat, cleanliness and food quality was superb. Except the chilli chicken preparation ( not upto the mark), the taste of the food was just like home made food. Resort location was good but not in good quality, need to look into this to provide the best service. Also the car condition is not good. Apart from these we enjoyed a lot throughout the tour. Special thanks to Mr.Talukdar and Team for organizing our memorable trip.
Amit SasmalMarch 17, 2022
Partha Sarathi MajumderFebruary 17, 2023
... read more of staff was very good
DEV KUMAR PYNEDecember 17, 2022
pramod tembhurnikarFebruary 17, 2023
... read more 10th to 12th of December, 2021 ( 2 nights 3 days package). I take pleasure in sharing my/ our experience with Mr Suvabrata ( Sonakshi Travels to us means Mr Suvabrata). # Mr Suvabrata, a perfect gentleman, with polite behaviour, understanding/ empathetic & extremely helpful nature. # Well organized & hastle free tour. # Polite & helpful staffs. # Punctuality is a batch.... whether it's transport, food, sight seeing, arrival or departure, everywhere time schedule was perfectly maintained. # Well designed itinerary & all places covered providing flexibility to the visitors. # Neat & clean car & boat. We were lucky to have a boat for ourselves. Hearty thanks to Mr Suvabrata for the unexpected surprise. # Place of stay was clean, beautiful & comfortable with all basic necessities including hot water. # Delicious food was served both veg & non-veg. # Pocket friendly package. No hidden charges or extra money demanded. Words will fall short to express my appreciation for MR SUVABRATA (SONAKSHI TRAVELS) & his TEAM. No one ( staffs) wore a frown throughout the trip & left not a single area for complaint. Once again I, on behalf of my family & friends, convey my wholehearted thanks to Mr Suvabrata & team. Looking forward to join you for some other trip.
Manisha Roy Chowdhury GhantiMarch 17, 2022
... read more was excellent..inspite some language problem staff were very very humble n cooperative n always willing to serve to our satisfaction...i surely will recommend my friends/ relatives to visit the place once in lifetime through Sonakshi Travels...🙏🙏🙏
Munna DewanJanuary 17, 2023
... read more trip of Sundarban ( 3D&2N).The trip was tailor made for our need.The staff members were very courteous & looked after all the nitty gritty to make the trip a memorable one.The food used to be prepared as per our requests & was relished by all members.The night stay arranged in the 5 star resort was superb and in an hospitable atmosphere.The resort has the added feature of being located in a natural surroundings of flora and fauna. It provided attractive play areas for kids. On top of everything, it was pocket friendly & no hidden cost was involved. Would strongly recommend SonakshiTravel for this riverine trip.
Arun BiswasJanuary 17, 2023
... read more and the boat ride were upto another level. Thank you so much for this wonderful treat. Looking forward to visit again. 😊
CHANDNI NASKARDecember 17, 2022