Macher Dimer Bora - Have You Tried This Bengali Fish Egg Recipe?
Image Credit: Macher dimer bora or fish egg fritters | Shutterstock

Bengali cuisine is renowned for its rich flavours, intricate spices, and an array of seafood delicacies that make it a haven for food lovers. Among the lesser-known treasures of Bengali culinary heritage is the Macher Dimer Bora, a delectable dish made from fish roe, also known as fish eggs. This unique and flavoursome recipe offers a delightful way to savour the lesser-explored part of a fish and showcases the ingenuity of Bengali cooking.

Macher Dimer Bora is a popular dish that perfectly combines the delicate flavours of fish eggs with a medley of spices and the crunch of besan and chaaler aata, which is rice flour.. This traditional Bengali snack or appetizer offers a unique culinary experience, bringing together the textures of crispy exteriors and tender interiors in each bite. With some ghee laden mooger dal and bhaat, a plate full of macher dimer bora is the ultimate bliss. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make this delicious dish.

Recipe - Kabita's Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 200 grams fish roe (fish eggs)
  • 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
  • 2-3 green chillies, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
  • 1 tablespoon rice flour
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Mustard oil for frying

Method

  • In a mixing bowl, add the fish roe and gently mash it with a fork to break up any clumps.
  • Add the finely chopped onion, green chilies, gram flour, rice flour, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, and salt to the bowl.
  • Mix all the ingredients thoroughly to form a thick batter. The fish roe and other ingredients should be well combined.
  • Heat mustard oil in a deep frying pan or kadhai over medium heat.
  • Take a small portion of the batter using a spoon or your hands and carefully drop it into the hot oil. Repeat this process to make several fritters (boras) depending on the size you desire.
  • Fry the fritters until they turn golden brown and crisp on both sides. Ensure they are cooked evenly by flipping them occasionally.
  • Once done, remove the fritters from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
  • Continue frying the remaining batter in batches until all the fritters are cooked.
  • Serve the Macher Dimer Boras hot as a snack or appetizer alongside a chutney or sauce of your choice.