Ilish Polao – Hilsa Fish Pilaf Recipe

Ilish Polao – Hilsa Fish Pilaf Recipe

Ilish Polao is a traditional Bengali delicacy, aromatic and flavorful, showcasing Hilsa fish, also known as “Ilish”. The richness of Hilsa blends beautifully with aromatic rice, making this dish a royal treat!

📝 Ingredients:

• 🐟 Hilsa Fish (Ilish) – 500g (cut into pieces)
• 🍚 Basmati Rice – 2 cups (washed and soaked for 30 mins)
• 🧅 Onions – 2 medium-sized (finely sliced)
• 🧄 Ginger-Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp
• 🍃 Bay Leaf – 2
• 🌿 Green Cardamom – 3-4 pods
• 🌸 Cinnamon Stick – 1 small piece
• 🌼 Cloves – 4-5 pieces
• 🌶️ Green Chilies – 3-4 slit
• 🍋 Fresh Yogurt (curd) – ½ cup
• 🌱 Garam Masala Powder – ½ tsp
• 🥥 Coconut Milk – ½ cup (optional, adds richness)
• 🌾 Ghee (clarified butter) – 3 tbsp
• 🧂 Salt – To taste
• 🥜 Cashews & Raisins – handful (for garnish)
• 🌿 Fresh Coriander Leaves – finely chopped for garnish
• 🍶 Water – 3½ cups (adjust as required)

👩‍🍳 Cooking Process:

Step 1: Marinate Hilsa Fish 🐟

• Marinate the Hilsa fish pieces with salt, turmeric, yogurt, and a bit of ginger-garlic paste. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Fry Hilsa Fish 🍳

• Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a pan. Fry the marinated Hilsa lightly on both sides until golden. Set aside gently.

Step 3: Prepare the Rice 🍚

• In the same pan, add remaining ghee.
• Add bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon, cloves, and sauté until aromatic.
• Add sliced onions and fry until golden brown.
• Stir in ginger-garlic paste, slit green chilies, and cook till the raw aroma fades.

Step 4: Cooking the Pilaf 🍲

• Drain the rice, add it to the pan, and sauté gently for 2-3 mins until rice turns slightly translucent.
• Pour in coconut milk (optional), add salt, garam masala powder, and gently stir.
• Add water carefully, stirring lightly to mix.

Step 5: Final Layering & Dum 🔥

• Carefully place the fried Hilsa fish pieces over the rice.
• Cover tightly with a lid. Cook on high flame for 2-3 mins, then reduce heat and simmer on low flame for 15-20 mins (dum cooking method).
• Once rice is cooked and fluffy, turn off heat and let it rest covered for 5 mins.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve 🌟

• Garnish with fried cashews, raisins, and fresh coriander leaves.
• Serve hot, accompanied by salad and lemon wedges.

📝 Serving Suggestion:

Enjoy Ilish Polao with traditional Bengali side dishes like cucumber salad, tomato chutney, and slices of lemon for an authentic experience.

📌 Credit:

Celebrate the legendary flavors of Hilsa fish at the vibrant Sundarban Hilsa festival, locally renowned as Sundarban ilish utsav, where culinary enthusiasts gather to cherish traditional Hilsa delicacies.

Recipe Reference & Credit: SundarbanTravel.com