Patrani Machi

Patrani Machi

Marinated Fish (with green chutney) wrapped with banana leaves and steamed. A delicious dish in parsi cuisine !!!

Serves: 2 - 3

You will need

3 fish pieces, medium size
1/2 cup (45 g) grated coconut
¼ (2 tablespoons) cup fresh coriander leaves
1 green chilli , chopped finely
4 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper powder
1/4 teaspoon tamarind paste (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 banana leaf

Method

Wash and clean fish pieces. Drain out water. Wipe it with a kitchen towel and keep aside.

Clean banana leaf. Smoke this leaf on flame for a few seconds so that it becomes flexible and easy to fold and cut into 14 - 16 cm square pieces. Or cut each banana leaf into a 14 - 16 cm square. Using tongs, submerge the squares, a leaf at a time, in a large pan of boiling water; remove immediately, rinse under cold water, dry thoroughly. Leaf should be soft and pliable.

For chutney :

Blend grated coconut, coriander leaves, green chilli, ginger, garlic, cumin powder, pepper powder , tamarind (optional) and salt in a blender or mixer. Do not add water while making paste. It should be a thick chutney mixture.

Place each fish in centre of a banana leaf square and apply chutney mixture evenly on both the sides.

For fish packets :

Fold opposite sides of leaf over each fish; repeat with remaining two sides and tie it with a cotton tread. Repeat with remaining fish pieces.

Place parcels in a single layer in a steamer / steam in a pressure cooker ( without whistle ) for 15 minutes or until fish is tender. Serve with rice. One can notice a color change in banana leaf.