🍛 Ilish Macher Dim-er Chanchra – Hilsa Roe and Vegetable Mixed Curry 🐟🥦

Ilish Macher Dim-er Chanchra is a traditional Bengali dish that combines Hilsa fish roe (ilish macher dim) with an assortment of vegetables, creating a deliciously spiced and aromatic mixed curry. This dish is a must-have for every Bengali food lover, especially during the Sundarban Hilsa Festival!

🛒 Ingredients

For the Hilsa Roe Preparation:

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

For the Vegetable Mix:

✔ Potato (cubed) – 1 medium
✔ Pumpkin (cubed) – ½ cup
✔ Eggplant (cubed) – ½ cup
✔ Raw Banana (cubed) – ½ cup
✔ Malabar Spinach Stems (Pui Shaak Danta) – optional – ½ cup
✔ Green Chilies (slit) – 3-4

For the Curry:

✔ Onion Paste – 2 tbsp
✔ Ginger Paste – 1 tsp
✔ Garlic Paste – 1 tsp
✔ Tomato (chopped) – 1 medium
✔ Mustard Seeds Paste – 2 tbsp
✔ Panch Phoron (Bengali five-spice mix) – 1 tsp
✔ Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Red Chili Powder – 1 tsp
✔ Salt – To taste
✔ Sugar – ½ tsp (optional)
✔ Mustard Oil – 4 tbsp
✔ Water – 1 cup

👩‍🍳 Cooking Process

1️⃣ Frying the Hilsa Roe

1️⃣ Clean the Hilsa Roe and marinate with turmeric and salt.
2️⃣ Heat 2 tbsp mustard oil in a pan and fry the roe until golden brown.
3️⃣ Remove from the pan and keep aside.

2️⃣ Frying the Vegetables

1️⃣ In the same pan, add 1 tbsp mustard oil and fry the potatoes, pumpkin, eggplant, and banana until lightly golden.
2️⃣ Remove and keep aside.

3️⃣ Preparing the Curry Base

1️⃣ Heat 1 tbsp mustard oil in the same pan, add panch phoron and let it splutter.
2️⃣ Add onion paste and sauté until golden brown.
3️⃣ Stir in ginger-garlic paste and fry until the raw smell disappears.
4️⃣ Add chopped tomatoes and cook until mushy.
5️⃣ Mix in turmeric, red chili powder, salt, and sugar.
6️⃣ Add mustard seed paste and cook for a minute.

4️⃣ Combining Everything

1️⃣ Add the fried vegetables and mix well with the spice base.
2️⃣ Pour 1 cup water and bring it to a boil.
3️⃣ Gently place the fried Hilsa Roe and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4️⃣ Add green chilies and drizzle a little mustard oil for extra flavor.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

✅ Serve hot with steamed rice and savor the authentic flavors of Ilish Macher Dim-er Chanchra! 🍚🔥

📌 Footnote:

This traditional Bengali dish is a must-try during the Sundarban Hilsa Festival, also known as Sundarban Ilish Utsav, where you can enjoy the freshest Hilsa delicacies right in the heart of the Sundarbans!

Bon Appétit! 🍴😋