From Rabindranath Tagore’s home: A sirka machh or vinegar fish curry recipe

On the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore’s 165th birth anniversary on May 7, vinegar fish is a much-loved recipe from the Tagore household. Chef and food archivist Subhajit Bhattacharyya shares this recipe on his YouTube channel Lost and Rare Recipes.

Ingredients

Katla / Rohu / Bhetki – 4 large pieces

Green chillies – 4, chopped

Ginger – chopped

White vinegar – 6 tablespoons

Onion paste – 6 tablespoons

Sugar – ½ tablespoon

Ghee – 4 tablespoons

Salt – to taste

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 2 teaspoons

Preparation

Soak the fish pieces in vinegar and let them rest.

Heat ghee in a skillet. Add the onion paste and fry well.

Add the chopped green chillies and ginger.

Add the Kashmiri red chilli powder.

Pour in some water and let it cook.

Add the fish pieces and coat them well with the mixture.

Add some of the vinegar left from the soaking bowl.

Add salt to taste.

Add more water to form a gravy and let it cook.

When the gravy begins to thicken, add a little sugar.

Once the fish is cooked through, remove from the flame.