Maacher Chop / Fish Cakes

Alright ...On to my second blog.... I am so super excited about blogging that i have decided to write about one of the most coveted recipes for the bongs "Maccher chop" AKA Fish chop/cutlet . Fish cutlets/chop takes me back to the days of durga pujo in bombay.Every year one night during pujo (mainly Nabami ) we used to try visiting all the famous mondols of the durga pujo in bombay .It used to be a time of great joy and fun as some bengali families in the neighborhood would get together and hire a bus and travel all these places . We kids would be dressed in our best finery and look forward to this trip the whole year. The highlight of this trip would be when baba would take us around in these mondols and try out different delicacies . The best i remember of maccher chop used too be in shivaji park in dadar in asit kakus stall ... Well that was last when i was 8 years old .

The thought of making maccher chop has forever been intimidating for me as i used to think that is something for seasoned bong cooks .well to my surprise i aced making macher chop after having a talk with my SIL moons ...(well her name is mona but i call her moons ).Moons gave me the recipe for this chop and it has been a hit with dear hubby .when i asked moons where did she discovered her palate for maccher chop ( I had to ask her as she is a Punjabi married to a bong ) to my surprise she said her love for maacher chop began in my in-laws house and made by my mom in law !!(Surprise !! Surprise!!) So here it goes...it is very easy recipe...happy eating and thanks moons


Maccher chop/Fish cakes

Fish -1 pound ( I use catfish nuggets or filet of tilapia)
Potatoes-1 pound
bread slices -2 nos
Roasted jeera powder -2 teaspoon
Garam Masala-2 Tea spoons
Chat masala-2 teaspoons ( add more according to taste)
Onion -I small -diced and fried until dark brown
Green chillies-4 nos de-seeded and chopped
Egg-1 nos ( add another if needed for the consistency)
One small bunch coriander/cilantro leaves
Hand full of cashews and raisin lightly fried in ghee
Salt
Bread crumbs-1 cup
Oil for shallow frying

1. Place the fish nuggets/filet in a on stick pan with 3 table spoons of water .Cover it and raise the heat on medium high .The fish should be cooked in its own steam about 5-8 mins and is all white .Take off from heat and cool it
2. Boil the potatoes and mash them
3. Add the fish and mash and mix with the potatoes
4. Add the fried onions, Roasted jeera powder ,Garam Masala ,Chat masala ( add more according to taste) Green chillies and salt
5. Wet the bread slices and add to the mixture.Add the fried raisins and cashews ( be sure to fry them in ghee..it lets out lovely aroma)
6. Add egg to this mix and refrigerate for 2 hours
7. Mix the whole mixture by hand and make small balls and flatten them. Roll them in the bread crumbs and keep them aside
8. Put oil in a shallow pan until hot and shallow fry them until golden brown
9. Serve hot with ketchup or tamarind and date chutney