Bhetki Macher Paturi

Marinated Steamed Fish in Banana Leaf Parcel 
Paturi recipe is a special way of cooking which we can apply for any fish. It is a low fat and high protein recipe.
If you are a vegetarian, then try this with paneer or with some other vegetables. You will definitely enjoy the preparation as well the food. 

INGREDIENTS:

2 Asian Sea Bass (bhetki) fish fillet

1 big banana leaf

1 cup grated coconut

100 grams mustard seeds

4 tbsp mustard oil or as required

1 tbsp salt or as required

1 tbsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
1 tbsp poppy seeds (optional)

10 green chilies to make paste
Green chillies as required while stuffing fish in banana leaves

Stitching thread

METHOD:

1. Cut the fish fillets in 2"/2" size and Wash them properly.
2. Marinate them with salt, lemon juice(if using) & turmeric powder and keep them aside for 30 minutes.
3. Take one large banana leaf (not very matured) enough to wrap the fish pieces. Cut into rectangles(6x10)pieces.
4. Blend the mustard seeds and green chillies into a paste. Keep aside.
5. Blend the poppy seeds into a paste. Keep aside.
6. In a bowl mix 2 tbsp mustard oil, turmeric powder, mustard paste, poppy seeds paste (if using), chili paste and grated coconut salt.
7. Lightly warm the Banana Leaf on the heat to make it soft and foldable.
8. Take 1 tbsp mixed paste on the piece of banana leaves, place one piece of fish on the paste and put another tbsp paste on the top of fish piece so as to cover the fish piece by the paste from both sides. Place one green chili on top of it.
9. Fold the banana leaf to wrap the content from all sides and tie with a piece of thread or a toothpick. Apply the same step for rest of the fish pieces.
10. Heat little mustard oil on a frying pan
11. Place the banana leaf parcels in one layer and close the pan with an air tight lid and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes each side. You can use microwave for this as well. Steaming the fish in banana leaf makes the fish very soft and tasty. 
    
12. When all the fish pieces are cooked, remove them from heat.
13. To give it smoky flavour, you can roast it for 2-3 minutes.
    

Serve the banana leaf wrapped fish pieces with steamed rice. 

You can now open the wrap and enjoy aroma as well as taste the juicy bhetki fish paturi recipe.