Tripura Nga Atoiba Light Fish Vegetable Broth One Bowl

Ingredients

• 400g fresh river fish — cut into medium pieces
• 2 cups mixed vegetables — water spinach, flat beans, pumpkin, banana flower
• 1 piece ngari or berma (fermented fish) — roasted and pounded
• 3 to 4 green chillies — whole or slit
• 1 tsp ginger — thinly sliced
• 1 stalk lemongrass — bruised and cut into sections
• 3 cups water
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander and spring onion to garnish

Method

1. Prepare the fresh fish: clean, scale and cut into medium pieces. Season lightly with salt.
2. Roast the berma or ngari in a dry pan for 2 minutes. Pound roughly.
3. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a wide pot.
4. Add sliced ginger, lemongrass sections and whole green chillies.
5. Add the harder vegetables first — flat beans, pumpkin, banana flower. Boil 5 minutes.
6. Add the remaining vegetables. Cook 3 more minutes.
7. Add the fresh fish pieces. Cook on medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until the fish is completely opaque and cooked through.
8. Add the pounded berma or ngari. Stir gently.
9. The fermented fish seasons the entire broth.
10. Taste and add salt only if needed — berma adds significant saltiness.
11. Garnish with fresh coriander and spring onion.
12. Serve in bowls with steamed rice.