🐟 Ilish Macher Matha Diye Moong Dal – Lentils with Hilsa Fish Head

A classic Bengali delicacy, Ilish Macher Matha Diye Moong Dal is a flavorful lentil dish infused with the rich taste of Hilsa fish head. This dish combines the earthy aroma of roasted moong dal with the royal flavor of Ilish, making it a must-try for seafood lovers.

🌿 Ingredients

🔹 Main Ingredients:

• 1 Hilsa fish head (cleaned and cut into pieces)
• 1 cup Moong Dal (yellow lentils)
• 3 cups Water

🧄 Spices & Seasoning:

• 2 Green chilies (slit)
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 tsp Panch phoron (Bengali five-spice mix)
• ½ tsp Turmeric powder
• ½ tsp Red chili powder
• 1 tsp Ginger paste
• ½ tsp Sugar
• Salt to taste

🥄 Cooking Essentials:

• 2 tbsp Mustard oil
• ½ cup Fried onion (optional, for garnish)
• Fresh coriander leaves (chopped, for garnish)

👨‍🍳 Cooking Process

🔥 Step 1: Dry Roasting Moong Dal

1️⃣ Heat a pan and dry roast the moong dal on medium flame until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma.
2️⃣ Rinse the roasted dal thoroughly and set it aside.

🐟 Step 2: Frying the Hilsa Fish Head

3️⃣ Heat mustard oil in a pan until it reaches its smoking point. Reduce the heat and fry the Hilsa fish head until it turns golden brown. Set aside.

🍲 Step 3: Preparing the Dal

4️⃣ In the same pan, add more mustard oil if needed. Temper with bay leaf and panch phoron.
5️⃣ Add ginger paste, turmeric, and red chili powder, sautéing until fragrant.
6️⃣ Pour in the roasted moong dal and mix well with the spices.
7️⃣ Add water, salt, and sugar. Cover and let it cook until the dal becomes soft.

🥘 Step 4: Combining the Flavors

8️⃣ Gently add the fried Hilsa fish head to the dal. Let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes so the flavors blend beautifully.
9️⃣ Add green chilies and cook for another 2 minutes.

🍽️ Step 5: Garnishing & Serving

🔟 Turn off the heat, garnish with fried onions and chopped coriander leaves.
✅ Serve hot with steamed rice and a wedge of lemon for an authentic Bengali experience!

💡 Chef’s Tip

⭐ Always roast the moong dal before cooking—it enhances the flavor!
⭐ Use pure mustard oil for the best authentic Bengali taste.

📌 Explore More on Ilish Festivals

Discover the grand Sundarban Hilsa Festival and experience the true essence of Ilish delicacies. Also, check out the Sundarban Ilish Utsav for an unforgettable culinary adventure!

Reference & Credit: This traditional Bengali recipe is inspired by Sundarban’s rich cultural heritage and the famous Hilsa preparations.