TREASURES FROM WATER
While growing up, I was made aware of a famous Bengali proverb describing Bengal as a land where there is always rice in the house and fish in the pond. This saying has lasted with time, more so when it comes to fish. The sight of a shining, silvery Hilsa is a treat to every Bengali eye. Added to it is the abundance of saltwater fish from the Bay of Bengal. I have a pond in my garden house. I am growing popular Bengali varieties of fish. Nothing can give me bigger pleasure than cooking with fresh fish from my own pond.
UNIQUE SHRIMP CAKE
চিংড়ির কেক
SERVES
4
PREPARATION
20Mins
STEAM
20 Mins
500 g raw shrimp meat
¼ cup shallot, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, roughly chopped
2 teaspoons coriander root, paste
1 teaspoon kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon lemongrass, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon cornflour + 3 tablespoons water, mix
1 chicken egg, separated
2 teaspoons green chilli, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
500 g raw shrimp meat
¼ কাপ পেঁয়াজ, মোটামুটি করে sliced
১ টেবিল চামমচ রসুন, মোটামুটি কাটা
২ চা চামচ ধনেপাপাতার গুঁড়ি, বাটা
১ চা চামচ কাফির চুনের পাতা, পাতলা করে কাটা
১ চা চামচ লেমনগ্রাস, পাতলা করে কাটা
১ টেবিল চামচ কর্ণ ফ্লাওার + ৩ টেবিল চামচ পানি, মিশিশিয়ে রাখা
১ টি মুরগির ডিম, কুসুম ও সাদা আলালাদা ককরা
২ চা চামচ কাঁচামমরিচ, কুঁচি
১ চা চামচ ললবণ
১ চা চামচ কালো গোলমরিচ, আধ ভাঙ্গা
DETAILS :
PAT dry the shrimp meat with a paper towel and place them in a food processor. Add all the ingredients from shallot to lemongrass, and process until smooth and sticky.
WITH the motor running, add the cornflour slurry and egg white to the shrimp mixture, and process to incorporate the ingredients. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add green chilli, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
PLACE parchment paper in a mould and grease it with a little oil. Arrange the shrimp mixture in the mould and tap the mould 5-6 times to get rid of the air. Cover with foil paper.
HEAT water in a steamer, place the mould, and steam for 10 minutes over medium heat. Lightly whisk the egg yolk, brush it over the shrimp cake, cover and cook again for 10 minutes or until the shrimp cake is done. To check, insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake, if it comes out clean, then your cake is done.
REMOVE from the steamer. Let it cool. Serve with any kind of salad.
