Food Recipe by Suchandra Ganguly

Manga Fish Curry: A Tropical Treat

With the end of the summer months, the markets are filled with plenty of sweet, juicy mangoes. The mango rush of the season is the best prompt to make something that highlights the versatility of this favourite fruit. Meet Manga Fish Curry, a spicy and aromatic dish that marries the fishiness of fish with the tartness of mango, which is native to the coastal areas of South India, especially Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is a dish that needs to be tried before the mango season says goodbye, and the taste will leave you craving for more.

In Bengal, a recipe that stands out in similar terms is the Aam Maach, which also pairs fish with mango but with a different taste. Aam Maach is a Bengali favorite that employs raw mango for adding a tang to the fish curry. Although the ingredients and methods of cooking are different, the basic idea of pairing fish with mango is common across these two recipes.

Ingredients:

– 250g fish pieces (any white fish like pomfret, butter fish, rohu, katla, surmai is good)
– 1 ripe mango, chopped
– 2 medium onions, chopped
– 1 teaspoon ginger paste
– 1 teaspoon cumin powder
– 1 teaspoon of coriander powder
– 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
– 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
– Salt, as needed
– 2 tablespoons (no odour) oil
– Fresh corriander, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onions until golden brown.

2. Add ginger paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Mix well and cook for 1 minute.

3. Add the chopped mango and mash it until soft.

4. Add the fish pieces and mix until coated well with the masala mixture. (Usually down south raw fish is added to the gravy, you can fry the fishes, if you want)

5. Add water to get the required consistency of the curry.

6. Add salt to taste and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the fish is done.

7. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve over steamed rice.

Tips and Variations:

– Fresh mango will taste the best.
– Vary the quantity of chili powder as per your spice requirement.
– Add other spices or herbs as per your taste buds’ preference.

Enjoy your yummy Manga Fish Curry!!