Bengali Fish Curry

Servings: 4 - 6

Ingredients:

• Ruhi/Carp fish - 6 steaks, (6 pieces cut off the whole fish)*
• Eggplant - 1 cup, cut into finger length wedges
• Idaho Potato - 2 med, cut into finger length wedges
• Roma Tomato - 2 lrg, cut into finger length wedges
• Green chili - 2 - 3, sliced lengthwise (seeds removed if you don't like the heat)
• Onion - 1 med, thinly sliced
• Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Chili powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Fresh Cilantro - 1/2 cup, coarsely chopped
  

• For the spice rub:
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Chili powder - 1/2 tsp
• Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
  

Methods:

• 1. First wash and drain the fish steaks. In a bowl mix in the spices for the rub. Coat the fish steaks with the spice rub evenly, rubbing all over the flesh. Let it rest for 1/2 hour.
• 2. In a non-stick pan, heat 4 tbsp oil, pan fry the steaks for 2-3 min on each side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• 3. Add the onions and salt to the oil, saute till they turn translucent. Add the garlic, saute for a minute. Add 1/2 cup of hot water and all the dry spices (chili, cumin, turmeric, coriander) and stir combine. Simmer till the added water evaporates and creates a thick spice mixture. Return the fish steaks to the spice mixture and gently flip over to combine overall.
• 4. After few min, remove the fish from the spice, add all the vegetables to the pan and stir to combine. Make sure to coat all the vegetables. Saute for 4-5 min. Carefully lay the fish steaks over the vegetables. Add 3 cups of hot water to the pan, to make sure to soak the fish and veg properly. Simmer on med heat for about 30 min, covered.
  
• 5. After 30 min, uncover the lid, carefully stir to rearrange the veg and the fish, simmer for 5 more min uncovered to reduce the gravy to a thick consistency. Turn the heat off and sprinkle the chopped cilantro on top before serving. Serve with rice.

Hints:
*You can use any type of fish for this curry. You can also use fillets rather than steak cut fish, however for the big fishes like Ruhi/ Buffalo Carp/Silver carp, etc, steak cut is more tasty for this type of curry.