benazir's blog

Fish Rogan Josh

Actually this is a Kashmiri dish and this Kashmir is a heavily disputed area that Pakistan and India have been fighting for since they achieved azadi which means independance in Urdu language from Britan. There has been about 4 or 5 wars fought over this territory and they got the wrong end of the stick for so long. Azad Kashmir which means also means free in Urdu is the part that is in Pakistan and the rest is under occupation in India. The Indian government is more cruel to the kashmiris living in this area. It is heart breaking and it is infuriating too.

I was stuffing envelopes once for the people of Kashmir. I blame Lord Mountbaten and his wife who I believe is a whore the double dealing Edwina who was in the kip with Neru at that time who caused this problem in the first place. Ok the Hindu’s prayer place from what I heard is there but they can go peacefully instead of hurting and making trouble for the Muslim majority there which is absolutely terrible.

Mr. Riaz and I knew some lovely old people who were Kashmiri. Nani which means maternal grandmother in Urdu was a very lovely lady. I called her nani out of respect because she was an old woman and I loved her half to death and there was of course Uncle who was a lovely man himself and his passing away from cancer made Mr. Riaz and me as well as the rest of the Muslim communtity very sad. They were both very active in our Islamic community. Nani showed young children how to read the Quran. I long for the day where Kashmir gains full independance from both India and Pakistan so they can govern themselves. Don’t blame me because I am entitled to my feelings and shame for those that wants me to conform to their way of thinking and it isn’t going to happen at all because I am a non conformist and proud of it so there.

Now to the recipe which you will need is by taking a mortar and pestle and grinding 1 Kashmiri chili, 1 pinch each of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, 3 cloves, 1 black cardamom, 1 green cardamom, grind these in to a coarse powder and set this aside. In a pot on high heat add 1/4 cup of either corn, canola or vegetable oil, to this add 1 tbs each of mustard oil and Desi ghee.

After it gets hot then add 1 onion or shallot cut in to half moon slices and cook until brown then reduce the heat to low. Chop 1 small piece of ginger and 4 cloves of garlic in to very tiny pieces, otherwise called mincing. Add the contents of the mortar and pestle and stir, 1 pinch each of paprika, turmeric, red chili powder, pink salt and stir. Add 1 tomato cut in to tiny pieces and place a lid over the pot while still on low heat and cook until the tomato turns mushy and disintergrates. You will be left with a very nice curry. Add 1 lb or 1 kg of any type of fish that is either staked or filleted. If you get whole frozen fish which is not a biggy and you shoul’t painic or dispair. Take the fish scaler which can be bought on Amazon or the front end of the teaspoon and start from the tail and slowly work on down to the head to remove the scales. They should pop off and usually do.

From here you can remove the head and and place it in the refridgerator to be used for making fish stock. I am going to do a fish stock recipe Inshalah. One time I made a soup with a fish’s head and I will do it again Inshallah but I have to actually wing it because I do not remember the actual recipe, lol. I do not want to get you sidetracked so we are going to get back on track by taking a boning knife or a pairing knife to cut the fish’s belly open and remove the innards. Rinse the fish and then stake it yourself. You may want to add 1 capful of lemon juice to kill the smell. Also if the fish is fresh and not frozen whole then you can freeze the fish head too.

It is best if you use frozen fish that is already cleaned and please ask your fish monger to clean the fish for you if not buying frozen whole fish is not your thing. This way if you are squeemish you do not have to worry about cleaning the fish. Please bear in mind when you are buying fish. Cook this fish in a curry for 10 minutes while still on low heat or until it turns opaque and starts to flake. Turn heat off and then either make your rice to serve with this dish or preferbly naan if you wish. Diabetics may want to enjoy with sorgham or millet.

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