Bhetkir Paturi(Steamed Bekti in Banana Leaves)

Well only we Bengalis know what this dish means to us.But it's not everyday that you get to eat this one at home until and unless your mom cooks it or You yourself master the art of making this.And believe me it's easy.But you do need to know how to play with threads :P.And this one will taste as good as any of it's versions prepared in the restaurant.If it's a Sunday and you are longing for some bhetkir paturi why not try this out for a change and who knows you might suprise everyone with the results?? :) :) I had prepared this many a time on various family gathering and my brother's birthday and each time it has tasted even better than the previous attempt.So here goes the recipe !!

Ingredients:

1. Bhetki fillets (boneless and medium shaped)-5 to 10 pcs
2. Banana leaves(not too matured)-2 big ones
3. Mustard oil 
4. Green chillies 7-12 pcs(2 more than the number of fillets you have taken)
5. Mustard paste(add the extra two green chillies while making this paste)  150 gms
6. Poppy seeds paste 50 gms
7. Salt to taste gms
8. Thread to tie the pieces

To steam:
RICE COOKER/MOMO MAKER.

 Prep time:10 mins
Coking Time:15 mins

Directions:

• Clean the fish fillets,add some lemon juice,mix well  and set aside for 10 mins.
• In a bowl add the chilli-mustard paste,poppy seeds paste,salt,mustard oil 2-3tbps,salt to taste and mix well.
• Keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or if you have time then you can keep it overnight.
• Cut the banana leaves into rectangles and set aside.
• Now place one piece of the fish,add two small drops of mustard oil,1 pc whole green chilli and fold the rectangular leaf aound the fish and tie it up with a thread to keep it intact.
•   Similarly wrap the rest of the fishes.
• Now place this pieces in a steam cooker and let it cook for 15 mins.Note how the aroma of the whole mixture comes when the fish is almost cooked.
• Serve hot with boiled rice.

NOTE:If you don't have a rice cooker or steam cooker the you can boil water in a large pan .Put the fishes in a stainless steel steaming bowl(bowls which have holes around its body)  and put it on top of the boiling water and cover for 15 mins.Make sure that the water level stays below the fishes and doesn't come in contact with them.