PATRA NI MACHI. ( Fish wrapped in banana leaves with green coconut chutney)

PATRA NI MACHI. ( Fish wrapped in banana leaves with green coconut chutney)

A parsi cuisine favorite! This dish is served and relished at most Parsi weddings and Navjotes.(Thread ceremony)

As a child and even now, I look forward to going for These functions, for the food!

After moving, I had to  learn how to re create these favourites!

This dish tastes best with Pomfret, but since I cannot find that here in Miami, I used Tilapia. It tasted good!

INGREDIENTS

6 Fillets of Tilapia, washed and salted.

1 big banana leaf cut into 6 pieces to wrap fish

thread to ties leaves

ingredients for coconut chutney.

1/2 a packet of the frozen shredded coconut. Or use fresh grated coconut.

1 large bunch coriander leaves

6-10 green chilies, depending on your tolerance for spices

2 ts roasted jeera seeds (cumin seeds)

3 tbs brown sugar (add more according tautest)

1 tbs tamarind paste.(add more according to taste)

8-10 garlic cloves

salt

juice of 1 big lemon

METHOD

Grind all the chutney ingredients in a blender with very little water, it should not be too dry as the steaming will dry it out more, but also not too wet and runny. If too wet or runny, add more coriander and coconut to thicken.

Taste, and add more sugar, tamarind, chillies or garlic and salt according to taste.

 Bring a pot of water to a full boil. Place steamer on top.

Place a slice of the fish on a banana leaf, coat the fish with a thick layer of chutney. Flip and coat other side too.

Wrap this into a parcel in the banana leaf and tie with string.

Repeat with all 6 slices.

Arrange the fish in a single layer on the steamer basket, do not over crowd.

Steam on full boil for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.

DO NOT TURN OR FLIP THE FISH.

Serve hot with a little extra chutney on side and roti!!!

Yummy!!!!