Machher Chop

Ingredients

4 (standard size pieces) of fish (Katla/Rohu/Bhetki/Basa/Aar)

For boiling the fish

Water, 500 ml, or as required

For making choper-pur (the mixture for the croquettes)

A handful of coriander leaves (finely chopped)
A handful of raisins
Fish, deboned and boiled (if boneless fillets are used, de-boning would not be required)
Salt, to taste

For shaping the croquettes:

For frying the croquettes:

Vegetable oil (as required for deep frying)

Directions

Preparing the fish

1. Boil the fish with sufficient water. Add turmeric powder to the water and boil for 10 mins. Let it cool.
2. De-bone the fish. Keep it aside.

Preparing choper-pur or the mixture for the croquettes

1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Add whole garam masala. After a while, as the garam masala releases its aroma into the oil, add chopped garlic. Sauté till the raw aroma of the garlic is gone.
3. Add chopped onions and fry till golden brown. Add chopped ginger and fry for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Next, add raisins, green chillies and boiled fish.
5. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt and sugar. Mix well and continue to stir. It is important to note that no water is to be used while preparing the mixture Also, the pan is to be kept uncovered.
6. Fry the fish with spices till its colour changes to dark golden brown. The fried fish will release a nice aroma. At this stage add mashed potato, chopped coriander leaves and garam masala powder. Mix well.
7. When done, keep the mixture aside to cool down.

Preparing the croquettess

1. To make the croquettes, divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Shape into an oval patty, one at a time.
2. Take one patty, coat it slightly with bread crumbs. Dip into the beaten egg and then coat again with bread crumbs.
3. Repeat the process with other patties.
4. After all the croquettes have been doubly coated, keep them in the refrigerator for 30 mins.
5. Take them out and wait for another 10 mins.

Frying the croquettes

1. Heat oil in a frying pan. Once it is fairly heated, put the croquettes into the oil. Throughout the frying process, the temperature of the oil should be kept at medium. If the oil is too hot, the bread crumbs will get burnt easily.
2. Fry for 10 to 12 mins. Keep rotating the croquettes so that they are fried evenly.
3. When the colour of the croquettes change to light brown, remove them into tissue paper.