Exotic Hilsa Fish Curry

Pohela Boishak is the Bengali New Year.  Pohela means first, and Boishak means the month.  It is usually celebrated the during the middle of April.  For Pohela Boishak people clean their homes so that they can start the year with a clean slate, dress in fine clothes, and visit friends and family.  We also eat desserts during the New Year so that the rest of the year will be as sweet as the desserts.  One of the main lunch dishes is Hilsa (fish).  During Pohela Boishak it is a must to have Hilsa because it is a time honored tradition.

Ingredients:

One whole Hilsa: cut it into small pieces
Ground mustard: 3 tablespoons
Whole green chillies: 6
Chilli powder: 1 teaspoon
Turmaric powder: 1 teaspoon
Ground onion: 4 small ones
Salt: 1 teaspoon
Oil:  1/4 cup

Process of making:

Marinate the Hilsa fish for 30 minutes with half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of tumeric.  After that grind the mustard and green chillies together with 2 tablespoons of water.  Mix in all the ingredients with the fish and put it in a shallow dish and cook it on the stove top on medium heat for a 30 minutes, or until you see the layer of oil floating on the top.  Be sure to cover the fish while cooking.  Serve it with white rice and enjoy.