Entree: India – Assam – ঔ টেঙা মাছ ➤ Ou Tenga Maas (Assamese sour fish curry made with elephant apple and light spices)
Serving Size: 4
Approximate Time
Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Additional
10 min
Total
55 min
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 g) rohu or other firm freshwater fish, cut into 6 pieces
- 2 small elephant apples (ou), peeled and sliced (about 8 oz / 225 g)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) mustard oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced (about 6 oz / 170 g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 9 g)
- 1 inch (2.5 cm) ginger, minced (about 10 g)
- 3–4 green chilies, slit lengthwise (about 10–15 g)
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) turmeric powder
- 1 tsp (5 g) red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt, or to taste
- 1 small tomato, chopped (optional) (about 2 oz / 55 g)
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1–2 tsp (5–10 ml) tamarind pulp or juice (optional, only if additional sourness desired)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish (2 tbsp / 6 g)
Instructions
1. Rinse the fish pieces, pat dry, then lightly season with half the turmeric and a pinch of salt; set aside for 10 minutes. Heat 1 tbsp (15 ml) mustard oil in a skillet and shallow-fry the fish pieces briefly until just golden on both sides; remove and keep aside.
2. In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) mustard oil. Fry the sliced onion with the remaining turmeric until the onion is soft and beginning to brown, about 5–7 minutes. Add minced garlic and ginger and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced elephant apple and slit green chilies to the pot, then pour in 1 cup (240 ml) water. Stir in red chili powder, salt, and chopped tomato if using. Bring to a simmer and cook until the elephant apple softens and releases its sour juices, about 8–12 minutes.
4. Gently add the fried fish pieces to the simmering gravy, cover, and cook on low heat for 5–7 minutes more so the fish absorbs the flavors without falling apart. Taste and add tamarind pulp if you want more sourness.
5. Finish with a drizzle of mustard oil if desired, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve hot with steamed rice.
