Shorshe bata diye Rui mach er Kaanta jhaal

 

Almost a week into April and no posts here.
There was nothing to write about. And I was not in a condition to sit and write too.
The days passed by slowly, inundated with mashed food and numerous medicines.
Friends on fb rallied around and gave me numerous options of soft cooked food ... which made my days bearable.

Thankfully I am on the mend now.
Just a little weakness.
To keep myself busy, I fished out a huge lot of left over wool and started a crochet project.
It will take some time, so I will update my other blog with its pictures in leisure.

Also, I finished a dress I was making some time ago.

It was lying half done ... as I couldn't make enough time to sit down and complete it with patience.
Now that it is done ( you can check it out here ), I can't wait to try it out.
Maybe when I go out next. And it is not to the doctor.

Pune is already blistering in this early summer heat.
I can't even start to think of what will happen when it is late April and then May.
With family and friends' increased pressure on us, we finally gave in and brought an air conditioner home. We have always resisted buying one.
Contributing to global warming and carbon footprints has never been on our agenda ever.

And had never actually needed one too,since Pune has such a beautiful weather and we are blessed with a location that is still very green, we had never imagined that we would have to resort to this.
But slowly, the green is disappearing. The little stream near our home is now covered with filth, thanks to a local politician who has encroached upon the land and now has set up numerous hutments.
We have watched haplessly as we saw the beautiful jungle with lots of wildlife and birds disappear before our very eyes.

The kingfishers and herons and the hornbills do not come any more.
(I have some beautiful pictures here, in the earlier posts  .... they are all that I have of the place now).
Other birds hover around, looking for a little water, and cannot find their regular drinking place.
We have set up small pots of water  on our balcony for them.
But that is all we can do.
I hope other people are doing the same.

This recipe has been languishing in my folder for almost 2 years, or more.
Why had I not posted it ... I have no idea.
From the pictures, I guess they were clicked in winter. And I do make this quite often.
Yet, had never made a post.
So decided to post this today. And free them from the jail of my 'ToBePosted' folder.

The kaanta (fish bones) jhaal used to be made at my Dadu's house regularly. I think it was Thamma's or my Jethimoni's recipe.
It is made with the big sized fish bones or the bony parts of a big sized Rohu or the Katla.
Mostly the head, the neck and the tail parts are used ... so that the bones are easy to deal with and can be chewed on leisurely ... and yet there would be no fear of any getting stuck in the throat.

I have used parts of the head, tail and some of the bony parts of the peti of a Rohu fish or the Rui mach.

So ... here goes the recipe of how to make Rui mach er kaanta jhal.

Need :

Bony parts of the Rohu fish - around 250 gms, fried with salt + turmeric
Mustard paste - 3 tbsp
Potatoes - 1, medium, sliced into longish pieces
Onion - 1, medium, chopped
Kalo jeere / Nigella seeds - 1 tsp
Green chillies - 2
Mustard oil - 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Sugar - to taste
Water - to cook

How to make :

Heat 1 tbsp mustard oil in a kadahi.

Add the kalonji or nigella seeds + green chillies.

Add the onions + potatoes and fry well on high heat.

Cover, low heat and cook till potatoes are done.

Remove cover and add the fish pieces and some water.

Add turmeric powder + mustard paste + salt + sugar.

If needed add some more water.
Mix well.

Cover and cook till everything comes together and mixes well.

Remove cover, give a good mix and pour 1 tbsp of raw mustard oil all over.
Cover and let it stand for 5 minutes.

Serve hot with plain rice.

Enjoy!!