CHITOL CHINGRIR CHOP

(PRAWN AND FEATHER BACK FISH CROQUETTES)

The East Bengali favourite ‘chitol’ weds the West Bengali favourite ‘chingri’ in a harmony of sharp, sweet and tangy flavours.

Preparation time: 60 minutes

Serves: 4 persons

200 gm Chitol fish, boneless

100 gm shrimp paste

50 gm mustard paste

25 gm coconut paste

15 gm green chilli paste

10 gm turmeric powder

20 gm ginger paste

35 ml mustard oil

For crumbing:

3 eggs

240 gm breadcrumbs

4–5 banana leaves

Oil to fry

Salt and sugar to taste

1.

Wash the fish.

2.

Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3.

Cut the banana leaf into 6-inch squares; divide the mixture into 8 equal parcels.

4.

Steam the parcels for 15 minutes.

5.

Remove the parcel, and then remove the mixture from all the parcels, keeping each portion separate.

6.

Beat the egg in a bowl. Make roundels and dip each roundel in the egg wash, and coat it with breadcrumbs.

7.

Heat oil in a pan and fry the roundels till golden brown.

8.

Serve hot.