Bhetki Macher Paturi (Barramundi Fish Fillets wrapped in Banana leaf )

Fish Paturi is a traditional Bengali dish . Here fish is marinated in mustard paste wrapped in banana leaf and cooked through  slow cooking. The word "paaturi" comes from the Bengali word "paata" or leaf . Generally we Bengali make  fish  paturi   using  Iilish or hilsa ,Bhetki or Baramundi and chingri or prawn.Today I am going to  share a popular Bangali fish recipe Bhetki Macher Paturi .

-----------------------------------------------------------
Author Moumita
Preparation Time-10 Minutes 
Cooking Time -20 Minutes
Servings -4 pieces 
-----------------------------------------------------------

Ingredients 
-------------
Bhetki or Barramundi Fish fillets - 4 (cut into 4"×2" as shown in the picture)
Black mustard seed - 2 tablespoons
Poppy seed - 1 tablespoon
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup +1tablespoons
Green chilies - 4+4
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoon +1/2teaspoon
Salt to taste
Banana leaf-1big (cut into  10"× 8" rectangle  shape)
Mustard oil - 1+1 teaspoons
Simple stitching thread-Few

Method
----------
Mix the fish pieces with half teaspoon turmeric powder and  salt  in a bowl.

Make a paste  of mustard seeds , Poppy seeds  and 4 green chilies by adding  little bit water.

Take the grated coconut and keep in a bowl.Add mustard seeds paste,little  bit  salt and remaining turmeric powder.Mix and make a fine mixture.

 Cover and keep them in the fridge for 1 hour.

Remove the fish from the fridge and mix with 1 teaspoon oil.

Stir gently, warm the banana leaves over an open flame for 30 seconds, make sure it does not get burnt.

Put banana leave pieces glossy side up over a dig plate, rub little mustard oil on it. Now spread 1 teaspoon of marinated paste in the center  of banana  leaf , place one piece of fish on the paste and put another teaspoon of paste on the top of fish piece so as to cover the fish piece by the paste from both sides then place one green chili on top of it.

Fold the banana leaf to make it a square parcel and tie with thread that the parcels will not open while cooking. Repeat the process for all the fish pieces.

Now take a non-stick pan and grease some oil to it and place the banana leaf wrapped fish pieces on it (you can place 4 - 5 pieces at a time ,according to the size of your  pan,you  can place) ,close the pan with an air tight lid and cook on medium heat for 8-9 minutes each side.

When one batch is done , remove them and place in an air tight container to keep the paturies hot. Again repeat the same process to cook the rest paturies.

Serve the hot banana leaf wrapped  bhetki paturi with hot steamed rice.

Want to know more fish recipes, click HERE

Note:-  If you do not have  Bhetki or  Barramundi  Fish, you can use any fish  fillets. 

                                   Pictorial Recipe 

      Mix fish fillets  with  salt and turmeric  powder 

Add mustard Poppy seeds green chili paste, grated coconut  and little bit turmeric  and salt, Mix them properly.

Add 1 teaspoon  mustard oil in the fish  mixture  and  mix.

rub little mustard oil on rectangle  shaped cut banana  leaf.

Now spread 1 teaspoon of marinated mustard paste in the center of the banana leaf.

place one piece of fish on the paste and put another teaspoon of paste on the top of fish piece 

Fold the banana leaf to make it a square parcel and tie with thread that the parcels will not open while cooking. 

Now take a non-stick pan and grease some oil to it and place the banana leaf wrapped fish pieces on it.

Close the pan with an air tight lid and cook on medium heat for 8-9 minutes each side.

Your Vetki Paturi is ready to serve . Serve  it with hot steamed  rice.