🐟 Ilish Macher Dim-er Bhapa Chorchori – Steamed Hilsa Roe Vegetable Stir Fry 🍛🌿

A unique and traditional Bengali delicacy, Ilish Macher Dim-er Bhapa Chorchori is a steamed and stir-fried Hilsa Roe dish cooked with aromatic mustard, vegetables, and mustard oil. This dish is light yet bursting with flavors, making it a must-have during the Sundarban Hilsa Festival!

🛒 Ingredients

For Steaming the Hilsa Roe:

✔ Hilsa Roe (Ilish Macher Dim) – 200g
✔ Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Salt – ½ tsp
✔ Mustard Oil – 1 tbsp
✔ Green Chilies – 2 (slit)

For the Stir Fry (Chorchori):

✔ Potatoes (thinly sliced) – 1 medium
✔ Brinjal (cut into small pieces) – 1 small
✔ Pumpkin (cut into thin strips) – ½ cup
✔ Onion (thinly sliced) – 1 medium
✔ Panch Phoron (Bengali five spice) – ½ tsp
✔ Mustard Seeds Paste – 2 tbsp
✔ Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Red Chili Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Green Chilies (slit) – 2-3
✔ Salt – To taste
✔ Mustard Oil – 3 tbsp

👩‍🍳 Cooking Process

1️⃣ Steaming the Hilsa Roe

1️⃣ Marinate Hilsa Roe with turmeric, salt, mustard oil, and slit green chilies.
2️⃣ Place it in a steaming container or a covered bowl in a pressure cooker with little water.
3️⃣ Steam for 10 minutes until the roe is cooked and firm.
4️⃣ Let it cool and mash lightly with a spoon.

2️⃣ Stir-Frying the Vegetables

1️⃣ Heat 2 tbsp mustard oil in a pan.
2️⃣ Add panch phoron and let it crackle.
3️⃣ Add onions and sauté until golden.
4️⃣ Add potatoes, pumpkin, and brinjal with a pinch of salt.
5️⃣ Sprinkle turmeric and red chili powder, then mix well.
6️⃣ Cover and cook on low heat until the vegetables are soft.

3️⃣ Combining the Steamed Roe

1️⃣ Add the steamed mashed Hilsa Roe to the pan and mix gently.
2️⃣ Stir in the mustard seed paste and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
3️⃣ Add slit green chilies and drizzle 1 tbsp mustard oil for extra aroma.
4️⃣ Cook until the oil separates and everything is well combined.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

✅ Serve hot with steamed rice and a squeeze of lemon for a burst of flavors! 🍚🔥

📌 Footnote:

Experience the best of Hilsa delicacies at the Sundarban Hilsa Festival, also known as Sundarban Ilish Utsav, where you can enjoy this and many other authentic Ilish dishes straight from the land of the Sundarbans!

Bon Appétit! 🐟😋