Spicy oven baked whole fish

Yesterday I was craving fish badly :( :( .... I went to the nearest shop and brought fresh pomfrets. I was thinking what is the easiest and fast way to cook these fishes.. Suddenly I thought I will bake them with some vegetables.. Yesterday was the first time I was baking fish and believe me the fish tasted heavenly. It took me only 10 mins preparation time and 22mins baking time, can you imagine that such a delicious fish was ready to eat only in 35mins.. yum yum yum.. Below is the recipe I followed~~

Ingredients:

1. Red chillies - 2,

2. lemon juice - 2 tsb,

3. Whole lemon - 1,

4. Red bell pepper - 1,

5. Onion - 1,

6. Green chili - 1,

7. Garlic cloves- 2,

8.Coriander leaves,

9. Salt to taste,

10. Mustard oil- 2 tsb, you may use oilve oil, But I personally like the flavor of mustard oil :) :)

11. Pomfert fish or any other flat fish- I used 2 small sized, you may use one full sized pomfret

12. Aluminium foil, I prefer using aluminum foil as it helps the fish to cook faster. You may use baking dishes but please remember it may take little longer time to cook.

Procedure:

Step1: Clean and wash the fish. pat dry with paper towels. Make some slits over it and keep aside.

Step2: we will make a marination paste for the fish. In a blender take lemon juice, salt, red chillies, garlic and make a fine paste. Add 1 tsb oil to the paste for making it smooth.

Step3: Now take the fish, gently massage the paste over the fish and keep it aside while we prepare the vegetables.

Step4: pre-heat the oven at 200 degree Celsius.

Step5: Slice the onions, bell pepper, green chili and lemon. You do not need to make very thin slices as all the vegetables I am using cooks fast. Also you may use any other vegetables of your choice.

Step6: In a baking tray place the Aluminium foil. Over the foil layer the sliced onions, bell peppers, lemons, green chili and some coriander leaves. Sprinkle little bit of salt over the vegetables. Gently place the fish over the vegetable. Place 1 or 2 slices of lemon over the fish, some coriander leaves and drizzle the remaining 1 tsb oil over it.

Step7: close the aluminium foil properly so that nothing comes out while baking the fish. place the baking tray in the pre-heated oven for 20~25mins.

Step8: Carefully open the aluminium foil serve the baked fish hot with pain rice or bread. enjoy you fish :) 

Sorse Pomfret (Pomfret with mustard seeds)

Pomfret is one of my favorite sea-fish. As my hometown is in North-Bengal where pomfret is not easily available, I started eating pomfret after I shifted to Kolkata :). Pomfret is very soft and easy to cook fish. The recipe I am sharing today is one of my innovation, you can replace pomfret with 'Hilsa fish' or any soft kind of fish. I hope you like it.

Ingredients:

1. Pomfret Fish- 2 normal size(wash and clean),

2. Mustard seeds paste - 2 tsb,

3. Poppy seeds paste - 1tsb,

4. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsb,

5. Chili powder - 1/2 tsb,

6. Cumin powder - 1/2 tsb,

7. Green chili - 2,

8. Salt to taste,

9. Mustard oil- 4 tsb

10. Lemon juice- 1/2 tsb

11.Water - 1/2 cup

Procedure:

Step1 : Marinate the fish with salt and pinch of turmeric powder keep aside for at least 5~10min.

Step2: In a bowl make a smooth paste mixing- mustard seeds paste, poppy seeds paste, turmeric powder, chili powder, lemon juice , water and salt to taste.

Step3: In a pan heat oil, slide the fish one by one carefully and let one side cook for at least 4mins in medium high heat.

Step4: Flip the fish other side and after 1~2mins add the paste we made in step2. Cover the lid and cook in medium heat for 4~5mins.

Step5: Open the lid add the green chilies, turn the fish to other side very carefully, as it may break. You may try to use 2 spoons to turn the fish. Cook in low heat for another 4~5 mins and turn the heat off.

Serve with pain white rice. I am sure you will like it :) :).  

Instant Dhokla

Today we will prepare ‘Dhokla’, a soft spongy Indian breakfast/snacks. There are basically two ways to make Dhokla, one by using ‘Chana daal’ and the other one is using ‘gram four’. To make Dhokla using ‘chana daal’ take preparation times more than 8 to 10 hours, but we can make Dhokla with gram flour in less than 20 mins, that is why it’s known as ‘Instant Dhokla’. The secret ingredient to make the dhokla soft and spongy with less preparation time is ‘Fruit Salt’. So, let’s get started with our Instant Dhokla.

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Ingredients:

For Batter: 

      1.  Gram flour(Besan) – 1cup,

      2.  Yogurt/Curd – ½ cup,

      3.   Green Chili finely chopped – 1, 

      4.   Cooking oil – 1 tsb for greasing ,

      5.   Salt to taste,  

      6.   Water – ¼ cup,

      7.   Fruit Salt (ENO – A brand available in India and ON Indian stores outside India) – 1tsb,

For Seasoning:

      1.  Cooking oil – 1tsb,

      2.   Curry leaves – 5~6,

      3.    Mustard seeds - ½ tsb,

      4.    Coriander leaves chopped – 1tsb,

      5.    Sugar – 1tsb,

      6.    Water – 1/3 cup,

      7.    Asafetida(hing) – a pinch

Procedure:

Step 1: Add Gram Flour, Yogut/Curd, chopped green chili, salt and 1/4 Cup (Our 1 Cup = 240 ML) Water in a bowl. Mix it well to remove all visible lumps. Mix it for 1 minute. Keep this batter aside for now.

Step 2: Pour approx 2-3 cups of water in a steamer at the bottom and heat it over medium heat for at least 5-6 mins, before placing the batter filled bowl in it.

Step 3: Take an Aluminum bowl. Grease it with Oil completely from inner side.

Step 4: Add fruit salt in batter and stir in one direction for approx 1 min. You will notice its size would increase to almost double.

Step 5: Now pour the batter immediately into greased bowl and fill it upto half thickness of the bowl.

Step 6: Place the bowl in the steamer and steam it for 10-15 mins. After that insert a toothpick or knife into the dhokla if it comes out clean, otherwise cook for another 4-5 mins.

Step 7: Take the bowl out of the steamer and let it cool for few mins and cut into small square pieces.

Now we will prepare the seasoning—

Step 8: Heat 1 tbsp of Oil in a pan for about 30 seconds on high flame. Add Asafetida, Mustard seeds, Curry leaves and sliced Green chilies. Turn the flame on low.

Step 9: After 30 seconds, add 1/3 cup of water. After mixing well, add sugar and chopped coriander leaves. Cook on high flame for about 3 minutes now or until it starts boiling.

Step 10: Switch off the stove and pour this mixture over the Dhokla pieces evenly. Your Dhokla is ready enjoy J