Bengali Style Steamed Salmon

Fish and rice in Bengali households is staple. In our household fish is served in curry form or any Asian or western variations. After moving to USA it was hard to find exactly the same river fish. After some trial a lot of local fresh river fish and sea fish used in Bengali cuisine got raves from Bengali families and shared with friends. Salmon is a great replacement for Hilsha fish. Bengali style steamed salmon is my go to recipe. It doesn't taste fishy and the gravy makes the difference. In this preparation salmon stakes smothered in a simple concoction of naturally sweet coconut, coconut milk and pungent taste of freshly ground mustard paste and steamed to perfection. All you need is plain rice to enjoy with this extraordinary dish yet very easy to make. I prefer to use bone in fish for its optimum flavor and taste. Here is my take on Bengali Style Steamed Salmon.

Ingredients~

(US customary units)

6 pieces of salmon steaks about 1 1/2 lb.

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp salt or to taste

1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen grated coconut

1 cup coconut milk

1/2 cup water

3-4 tbsp freshly ground mustard paste

5-6 green chili, slightly slit

4-5 tbsp mustard oil

Method~

Smear the fish pieces with little turmeric powder and 1/4 tsp salt.  Grind coconut to a smooth paste with 1/2 cup of coconut milk, then transfer to steel round container about 7 inch wide and add in remaining coconut milk, mustard paste. turmeric powder, salt, mustard oil, chilies and mix well. Add in the fish stakes to the coconut-mustard mixture, coat well both side of fish stakes and marinate for 10-15 minutes. 

Take a wide open pressure cooker and place a perforated cooker grid. Cover the container and place in the pressure cooker. Pour water half of the container and close the pressure cooker lid. Pressure cook 

without for 10 minutes over medium flame. Or, use a wide pan and follow the same method. Turn off the flame and wait for 6/7 minutes. Remove the container carefully from the pressure cooker. Serve with plain rice and drizzle little mustard oil over the fish. Enjoy!

Happy Cooking!