🐟🔥 Smoked Hilsa Fish – Traditional Smoked Ilish Recipe 🍽️

Smoked Hilsa Fish is a royal delicacy where the queen of fish, Hilsa (Ilish), is gently smoked to perfection, enhancing its natural flavors with a smoky aroma. This dish is a must-try for seafood lovers, especially during the Sundarban Hilsa Festival!

🛒 Ingredients

For Smoking the Hilsa:

✔ Hilsa Fish (Ilish Mach) – 2 medium-sized fillets
✔ Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Salt – 1 tsp
✔ Mustard Oil – 2 tbsp
✔ Banana Leaves or Foil – for wrapping

For the Seasoning:

✔ Mustard Paste – 2 tbsp
✔ Green Chilies (chopped) – 2
✔ Black Pepper Powder – ½ tsp
✔ Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp
✔ Mustard Oil – 1 tbsp

For Smoking (Traditional Method):

✔ Charcoal or Smoker
✔ Ghee or Butter – 1 tsp (for extra aroma)

👨‍🍳 Cooking Process

1️⃣ Marination Process

1️⃣ Clean and pat dry the Hilsa fillets.
2️⃣ Rub with turmeric, salt, and mustard oil. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
3️⃣ In a bowl, mix mustard paste, chopped green chilies, black pepper, lemon juice, and mustard oil.
4️⃣ Coat the marinated Hilsa fillets with this mustard mixture evenly.

2️⃣ Smoking Process (Traditional Charcoal Method)

🔥 Method 1: Charcoal Smoking
1️⃣ Light charcoal in a small bowl.
2️⃣ Place a spoonful of ghee or butter over the burning charcoal.
3️⃣ Immediately place this inside the Hilsa fillets’ bowl and cover with a lid.
4️⃣ Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the smoky flavor.

🔥 Method 2: Banana Leaf Wrapping & Grilling
1️⃣ Wrap the marinated Hilsa in banana leaves and tie with thread.
2️⃣ Roast over charcoal or an open flame for 10-15 minutes, flipping occasionally.
3️⃣ Alternatively, grill in an oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes.

🔥 Method 3: Smoking in a Smoker
1️⃣ Preheat a smoker to 200°F (95°C).
2️⃣ Place the Hilsa fillets on a wire rack inside the smoker.
3️⃣ Smoke for 15-20 minutes or until cooked and infused with a deep smoky aroma.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

✅ Serve hot with steamed rice and a side of mustard-based salad.
✅ Pair with a tangy kasundi (Bengali mustard dip) for an authentic experience.

📌 Footnote:

Smoked Hilsa is a specialty of the Sundarban Hilsa Festival, also known as Sundarban Ilish Utsav, where food lovers can enjoy unique Hilsa preparations right from the heart of the Sundarbans!

Enjoy the smoky magic of Smoked Hilsa Fish! 🍴🔥🐟