Sunday Brunch, Lazy Sunday Wishlist

The reason I call it 'brunch' is because of those late lunches I have on Sundays after having a fill of luchi, aloo bhaja or aloo tarkari for breakfast...and that too around 10.30 or 11 in the morning! So yeah...it's Sunday brunch for me...from breakfast to lunch :)


I generally get up late on Sundays after rolling lazily  on bed for quite sometime. After that, I relish the delicious luchi, aloo bhaja combo that Ma prepares at home. For all those who don't know...luchi-aloo bhaja or aloo tarkari is a traditional and perhaps the most popular breakfast on the Bengali platter on any given day. Most true-blue Bengalis would swear by this finger-licking treat. And yes, Bengali luchis are way softer, fluffier and tastier than pooris prepared in North and rest of India.

But hey...wait! Sundays wouldn't be over without a lavish lunch! So after those drool-worthy luchis, it's time for me to gorge on a delicious spread of authentic Bengali meal. Most Sundays it's bhat or gheebhat (fried rice), fries or machh bhaja (fried fish), dal, any kind of seasonal vegetable curry or aloo posto (another authentic Bengali dish), macher jhaal (fish curry) or any preparation of chicken, chutney or mishti doi (sweet yogurt) followed by meetha paan. On a rainy day, it's khichuri and ilish machh bhaja. Phew! Sumptuous Sundays, I must say!

It goes without a doubt that we all crave for the weekends, especially Sundays. It's a day when we let go of all our reservations, diets, rules and reservations and engage in unlimited masti - be it with friends, relatives or family. Sundays are lazy, crazy and meant for absolute fun without even an iota of glum. My idea and wishlist  of an ideal Sunday would be - mouthwatering breakfast, lunch, long hours of hang out with friends, family and loved ones, loads of music and movies, ice creams, shopping followed by a quiet candlelit dinner. Awesome...isn't it? But don't you think that 24 hours is little too short for all this? But I would be the happiest if it actually happens...so here's keeping my fingers crossed :)

Ilish Maach Bhape/Sorshe Ilish

Hilsa Fish remains an eternal favorite among food lovers. Fish rules the platter of any Indian household, and scores much higher than chicken and mutton.Varied recipes of fish continue to rule the hearts of quintessential Bengali gourmets. Bhetki, Koi, Rui or Catfish, Prawn, Lobsters, and Hilsa remain the perennial favorites among the numerous varieties of fish. Hilsa or 'Ilish' as it is commonly known as, is one of the most liked variety of fish, and there are plenty of dishes available with this fish. Hilsa is not just a fish, but a symbol of Bengali culture. Hilsa is found plentiful in the rivers-Padma, Meghna, Yamuna and Ganges, however, most of this sweet-tasting fish is caught from the sea. Most of the Hilsa dishes are cooked in mustard oil.

Among all other hilsa delicacies, Ilish Maach Bhape or Sorshe Ilish remains my priority:)
Here is a simple and easy way to prepare this recipe at home:

Ingredients:
Hilsa fish-(chop it into pieces for better results)
Mustard Paste
Mustard Oil
Turmeric Powder
Green Chilli
Salt to taste

Preparation: First, wash the fish pieces properly and mix a paste of mustard paste, salt, mustard oil and turmeric with it. Then keep the fish pieces in an air-tight container for some time. Pour some mustard oil on top of those pieces and sprinkle 4/5 green chillies. Then take 2/3 cups of water in a hollow fry pan or container and place the air-tight container in it. Keep the flame low and place something on top of this container, so that the lid doesn't fall off. Bring it to boil for around 10-12 mins and remove it from flame. Your delicious smoked hilsa is now ready to eat! Serve it with smoking hot rice or nan bread.