Macher Jhol Bengali Influenced Fish Curry

Macher jhol is a Bengali fish curry; my version features meaty white fish like cod or pollock in a thick tomato gravy that is lightly spiced.

Taking 10 minutes to prepare and around 20 minutes to cook, this is also a super quick dinner recipe that is very easy to cook with a relatively modest ingredient list for a curry.

Bengali-Inspired Fish Curry

As with many of my recipes, inspiration comes from far and wide, and this delicious and simple macher jhol fish stew, come curry recipe, is no different.

The name itself translates as "fish gravy" or "fish soup". In Bengali, it is written like this মাছের ঝোল, and it speaks to a whole spectrum of dishes.

They are typified by a relatively simplified set of spices for a dish from this part of the world. Many times, they feature tomato paste and potatoes to thicken the dish.

The sauce is traditionally more likely to be a similar texture to the one in my sea bass curry and fresh mackerel curry.

I stick with the relatively simple set of spices here, but increase the tomatoes to make a thick sauce.

Essentially, this is cod in tomato sauce, a classic European dish, that has decided to get a wonderful makeover in Bangladesh.

Fish curries like this, my monkfish curry, Indian salmon curry or my Kerelan-inspired fish curry are a great introduction to cooking from the Indian Subcontinent.

If you want a slightly different vibe, check out my Thai Green fish curry with cod, Thai mackerel choo chee curry or Thai red fish curry with salmon.

If you have any cod leftover, what about rustling up these Amritsari fish nuggets?

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish is best to use?

I have developed this recipe with cod, hake, haddock, coley or pollock in mind. You can use any of these fish, and the dish will be very similar and will work perfectly.

I would personally give a shout-out to coley, it is half the price of cod and tastes superb. I use it in my masala fish fillet recipe.

Often this dish would be made with a fish similar to a carp, but freshwater fish really is not my mojo!

What is the "loin" of fish?

The loin is the upper half of the fillet of a round fish. It is thicker and as a result, holds up really well to slightly longer cooking.

You can, of course, use a fillet of fish and keep an eye on the cooking time.

How spicy is this fish curry?

I consider this dish to be relatively mild. However, as I have mentioned time and time again, tolerance to spice is incredibly personal.

One person's raging inferno is another's wee tickle.

Go with a chilli that you are comfortable with. If you want to increase or decrease the heat, change the number used.

Can I use salmon?

Yes, you can, and the cooking time remains the same. However, it is certainly not a choice that I would make.

Can I make this in advance?

No, the fish will almost certainly overcook and become dry and "woolly" when cooled and reheated.

Serving Suggestions

My macher jhol recipe is pictured here with some fabulous aloo methi.

I love the flavour of fenugreek! I have no qualms with matching my European crossover Bengali fish curry with Punjabi-influenced fenugreek potatoes.

Plus, I'm British, so fish and potatoes are a thing... Fish and chips, anyone?

For the same reason, I would also recommend some roasted Bombay potatoes or aloo jeera as an alternative side dish.

Of course, you could serve this with rice too, and a simple pilau rice would be awesome.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to suggest a flatbread; my tandoori naan would be the perfect bread to mop up any leftover sauce!

Equipment Used

I only mention specific brands of equipment if I think they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Hob/Stovetop.
• 24cm or 10" nonstick frying pan or skillet with a lid.
• Grater.
• Chopping board.
• Kitchen knife.
• A combination of weighing scales, measuring cups and spoons.
• Fish slice or spatula, and stirring/serving spoons.