🍲 Ilish Macher Matha Diye Dal – Lentils with Hilsa Head 🐟🌿

A traditional Bengali delicacy, Ilish Macher Matha Diye Dal is a flavorful lentil dish cooked with the rich, umami essence of Hilsa fish head (Ilish Macher Matha). The smoky, earthy flavors of lentils combined with the aroma of fried Hilsa head create a dish that is both comforting and indulgent.

🛒 Ingredients

For Cooking the Dal:

✔ Musur Dal (Red Lentils) / Moong Dal (Yellow Lentils) – 1 cup
✔ Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Salt – To taste
✔ Water – 3 cups

For the Hilsa Head:

✔ Hilsa Fish Head (Ilish Macher Matha) – 1 (cut into halves)
✔ Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Salt – ½ tsp
✔ Mustard Oil – 3 tbsp

For the Tempering:

✔ Bay Leaf (Tej Pata) – 1
✔ Dry Red Chilies – 2
✔ Panch Phoron (Bengali Five-Spice Mix) – ½ tsp
✔ Onion (sliced) – ½ cup
✔ Tomato (chopped) – 1 small
✔ Ginger Paste – 1 tsp
✔ Garlic Paste – ½ tsp
✔ Green Chilies (slit) – 2-3
✔ Red Chili Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Sugar – ½ tsp (optional)
✔ Ghee – 1 tsp (for extra flavor, optional)

👩‍🍳 Cooking Process

1️⃣ Preparing the Dal

1️⃣ Wash the lentils and boil them with turmeric powder, salt, and water until soft.
2️⃣ Mash slightly and keep aside. (For extra flavor, dry roast moong dal before boiling.)

2️⃣ Frying the Hilsa Head

1️⃣ Clean the Hilsa head, rub it with turmeric and salt.
2️⃣ Heat mustard oil in a pan until smoking hot, then reduce heat.
3️⃣ Fry the Hilsa head until golden brown and crispy.
4️⃣ Remove from pan and set aside.

3️⃣ Tempering & Cooking the Dal

1️⃣ In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed.
2️⃣ Add bay leaf, dry red chilies, and panch phoron. Let them splutter.
3️⃣ Add sliced onions and fry until golden brown.
4️⃣ Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
5️⃣ Add chopped tomatoes, red chili powder, and sugar, sauté until tomatoes turn mushy.
6️⃣ Pour the cooked dal into the pan and mix well.
7️⃣ Gently place the fried Hilsa head into the dal and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
8️⃣ Add slit green chilies and a drizzle of ghee for an authentic touch.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

✅ Serve hot with steamed rice, and enjoy the divine flavors of Ilish Macher Matha Diye Dal! 🍚🔥

📌 Footnote:

This dish is a delicacy often enjoyed during the Sundarban Hilsa Festival, also known as Sundarban Ilish Utsav, where food lovers relish authentic Hilsa fish preparations in the beautiful Sundarbans!

Bon Appétit! 🍴😋