Special Ilish Recipes

Hilsa is considered as one of the most tastiest fish due to its distinctly soft oily texture, mouthwatering flavour and superb mouthfeel. There have been numerous varieties of fish available in the market, but Hilsa or Ilish has always been the numero uno choice for Bengalees.

For centuries, Bengalis have been known as a fish-loving community. Located on the Gangetic plain, eating fish came naturally to the people of Bengal because of easy accessibility. There have been numerous varieties of fish available in the market, but Hilsa or Ilish has always been the numero uno choice for locals with debates ranging on about which river produces better quality fish.

Considered as the 'queen of fish', Hilsa is an oily fish and a rich source of Omega 3, weighing two-four kilograms on an average. With the arrival of monsoons, the market is brimming with this particular breed. If you’ve never eaten one before, let us tell you that Hilsa has a very soft, delicate texture with a lot of fine bones, which makes it very difficult to eat for someone who is not a regular fish eater.

Every household in Bengal is filled with the aroma of traditional Hilsa/Illish dishes like Bhapa Ilish, Doi Ilish, Shorshe Bata Ilish or a simple deep fried Ilish. Even the Anglo-Indian community of Kolkata savours this delicacy in the form of smoked Ilish, but for those who live in other metros and want a taste of the same, options are limited. Here we are sharing some of authentc Hilsa cuisine from the desk of "Ajker Sampurna" for a delicious twist of your tastebuds.

Courtesy: Ajker Sampurna, August 2015