Name: Macher Matha diye Mochar Ghonto (Plantain Flower / Banana Flower Cooked with Fish Head) recipe by Deepsikha Chakraborty at BetterButter
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Plantain flower 2 nos.; Large fish head 1 no. (I used Rohu fish head, you can use Katla, Baush or even Hilsha); Fenugreek seeds 1/2 teaspoon; Dried red chilli 2 nos.; Green chilli 4 nos. (slitted from middle); Tomato 1 no. (chopped); Cumin powder 1/2 teaspoon; Coriander powder 1/2 teaspoon; Red Chilli Powder 1/2 teaspoon; Turmeric powder 1 teaspoon; Garam Masala Powder 1/2 teaspoon; Mustard oil 3 tablespoon; Salt, according to taste

ABOUT Macher Matha diye Mochar Ghonto (Plantain Flower / Banana Flower Cooked with Fish Head) RECIPE

Being born and brought up to a typical Bengali family, Mocha or Plantain flower is a kind of regular thing at home. Loaded with lot of health benefits, Mochar Ghonto is an ultimate comfort food. Cooking Mocha is not easy - it needs expertise as well as patience. My mom usually cooks it as a vegetarian dish. I, being an overrated fish lover, twisted the dish a little bit and made it a non-veg delight. So, here I present my version of Mochar Ghonto with Fish Head and I bet you will love it!

Ingredients Serving: 4

Plantain flower 2 nos.
Large fish head 1 no. (I used Rohu fish head, you can use Katla, Baush or even Hilsha)
Fenugreek seeds 1/2 teaspoon
Dried red chilli 2 nos.
Green chilli 4 nos. (slitted from middle)
Tomato 1 no. (chopped)
Cumin powder 1/2 teaspoon
Coriander powder 1/2 teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder 1 teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder 1/2 teaspoon
Mustard oil 3 tablespoon
Salt, according to taste

Instructions

Remove the inedible part (the bitter string and the plastic-like shield) from the banana flowers and wash properly.
Pressure cook the banana flowers adding salt for 5-6 whistles.
Remove the cooker from the flame and let the pressure cool down.
Now, open the pressure cooker lid, drain the water and remove the banana flowers. Don’t dispose the water as you will need it for further use.
Chop the boiled banana flowers into pieces and keep aside.
Now, wash the fish head properly and rub it with 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and salt.
Heat oil in a pan and fry the fish head properly. Once it’s done, remove it from the oil and keep aside.
Again, add oil in the same pan and add fenugreek seeds and red dry chillies. Allow them to splutter.
Add chopped tomato and stir until it becomes soft.
Add the fried fish head and stir it putting pressure on it with your spatula, until the head breaks into pieces.
Now add cumin powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and green chillies and stir the mixture.
Add the chopped banana flowers and stir again. Make sure the banana flowers and fish head mix well.
Add one cup of water (that you drained earlier) and cover the lid of the pan.
Cook it in lower flame for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and check if the banana flowers are cooked properly. If required, add some more water and cook for another 10 minutes in lower flame.
Once it is cooked, remove the lid and check. If their is some excess water, stir it in medium flame until the water get evaporated. Don’t dry it completely, rather keep it moist.
Sprinkle garam masala powder and give a quick mix.
Your Macher Matha diye Mochar Ghonto is ready to be served.

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