Machha Jhola
Everyday Odia fish curry — rohu or katla pieces fried in mustard oil until the exterior is sealed, then simmered in a thin, pungent gravy of onion, tomato, ginger-garlic, turmeric, and cumin with a tempering of panch phoron. Less thick and mustard-forward than machha besara; the everyday fish preparation of the Odia household eaten with steamed rice at lunch and dinner, the tomato-onion base giving the gravy a lighter, cleaner character.
Cuisines
Odia
Best for
Lunch
Dinner
Build a full meal around Machha Jhola
Get a matched combo of sides and accents
Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 40 min
Total: 60 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
300 grams | Fish , fresh Rohu, cut into pieces |
|
2 tablespoons | Mustard oil |
|
1 teaspoon | Turmeric powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Red chili powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Cumin , seeds |
|
1 teaspoon | Mustard Seed |
|
1 cup | Potato , cubed |
|
1 cup | Tomato , chopped |
|
1 cup | Onion , finely chopped |
|
1 tablespoon | Ginger-garlic paste |
|
2 cups | Water |
|
— | Salt , to taste |
|
2 tablespoons | Cilantro , chopped |
Instructions
- 1 Clean the fish pieces and marinate with half of the turmeric powder, salt, and a little mustard oil. Set aside for 15 minutes.
- 2 Heat mustard oil in a pan until it reaches smoking point. Fry the marinated fish pieces until golden brown and set aside.
- 3 In the same pan, add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Allow them to splutter.
- 4 Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- 5 Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another 2 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- 6 Add chopped tomatoes, remaining turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil separates.
- 7 Add potato cubes and sauté for a few minutes.
- 8 Pour in 2 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
- 9 Gently add the fried fish pieces to the boiling curry.
- 10 Cover and simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are cooked and the flavors meld together.
- 11 Garnish with chopped coriander leaves before serving.
Tips
For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of garam masala towards the end of cooking.