Eelish Tilottoma

Illish / Hilsa Tilotoma

Everybody knows Hilsa or Ilish is the most popular fish for Bengalis. This is the national fish of Bangladesh. Bengalis wait throughout the year for monsoon and Ilish. Now a days this fish is not very pocket frieldly, but still Bengalis can spent any amount for Hilsha especially in rainy season.   I think Hilsa is most popular for its aroma and taste.  

Most common and popular dish is Sorsha illish or Bhapa illish. But today I cooked Illish / Hilsa which is not traditional or Bengalis all-time favorite Sorsha illish.

 Hilsa with sesame seeds (Teel) curry and it was awesome. I named it Illish Tilotoma. Let’s try for it.

 Ingredients

Hilsa about 1 kg., cut in steak size peices

White sesame(Teel) seeds 4 tbsp.

Poppy seeds 1 tsp.

3-4 tablespoons refined  oil

Green chilies 3-4, slit

Kalojeera / Kalonji

Salt as per taste

For the paste:

3 tablespoons sesame(Teel) seeds

1 tablespoon poppy seeds (white)

3-4 hot green chili (or as per your taste)

Salt to taste

Preparing the paste:

Soak the ingredients for the paste in 1/4 cup of water for about 30 -45 minutes. Grind the sesame seeds, green chili, with salt to make a thick paste (This paste is called “TEEL  bata = sesame paste). If you want can add poppy seeds paste.

 [Alternate way to make sesame paste : Dry grind the seeds (sesame(Teel) seeds and poppy) and then mix the powdered seed with about 3 tablespoon water, salt, and green chilies and grind it again for minute and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes.]

Wash and clean (remove scales) of the fish and cut in steak size pieces or you can have them clean and cut at the place from where you buy the fish.

To this sesame paste add a 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric (your wish), 1 tsp. refined oil and salt. Your sesame sauce is ready.

Method

Now rub the fish pieces with salt and turmeric powder. Heat oil in a pan. Then fry the fish till they are golden in both sides. Set aside.

Add kalojeera,. As you get the frying smell of kalojeera then add sesame paste and salt and turmeric powder. Sauté this for a minute and mix well. Add 1 cups of water if you want more soup you can add more water. Add silted green chilly ( while serving make sure to give one green chilly with each fish piece because some person love to mash it and have it with rice and it add an extra taste).

Now add the fried fish let it boil for another 2 minutes then put off the flame. Give 10 minutes standing time before serving and Serve with hot steamed rice.

 Alternate Method

Add 3 cups of water in a pressure cook. Now place a ring in it.
Take a pan and spread little refined oil. Place the fish pieces on a single layer. Pour the sesame sauce liberally on the fish pieces so that all the pieces are coated nicely. Place the slit green chilies on top. Drizzle  some more refined oil on the top if you wish.
Now place this pan on the ring in the pressure cooker. Cover with lid and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles. Serve hot with rice.