Odisha Macha Tarkari Odia Fish Potato Tomato Everyday Curry

Ingredients

• 500g fresh fish — cut into medium pieces (rohu or catla preferred)
• 3 medium potatoes — peeled and cubed 2 cm
• 2 tomatoes — finely chopped
• 1 medium onion — finely chopped
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp mustard oil
• 1/2 tsp panch phoron (five-spice blend: equal parts cumin, mustard, fenugreek, nigella and fennel seeds)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt
• Fresh coriander

Method

1. Marinate fish with a pinch of turmeric and salt for 10 minutes.
2. Heat 2 tbsp mustard oil to smoking. Fry fish pieces 2 minutes per side until golden. Remove.
3. In the same oil add panch phoron — all five seeds sizzle together.
4. Add finely chopped onion. Cook 8 minutes until golden.
5. Add ginger-garlic paste. Cook 2 minutes. Add finely chopped tomatoes.
6. Cook 7 minutes until soft and oil separates.
7. Add turmeric, coriander powder, red chilli powder and salt. Cook 2 minutes.
8. Add potato cubes. Toss to coat. Add 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer.
9. Add fried fish. Simmer covered on medium for 10 to 12 minutes until potatoes are tender and fish is cooked through.
10. Garnish with fresh coriander. Serve with steamed rice.