Chuna Machha Tarkari(small fish curry)

Chuna macha means small fishes. In orissa's fish market, you will find many varieties of it. This recipe is a very tasty and usually made in my mom's kitchen...Small fishes are very healthy food as they contain vitamins and minerals...Good for eyes as contains vitamin A...

Ingredients:

300 gm very small fish (chuna machha)
3 tsp mustard seeds(soak in water for 1/2 hr)
½ tsp cumin seeds
6-7 flakes of garlic
Mustard oil (sorisha tela)
2 Tomatoes(chopped)
1-2 dry red chillies
1 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
½ tsp Mustard seed
salt to taste

Method:

Wash the fish thoroughly by taking out their tails. Also clean the insides by removing the gall bladder and intestine etc. This is done to avoid any possible bitter taste..
Add ½ tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp mustard oil and salt to it for marinating.
Now heat mustard oil in a pan and  fry the marinated fish in it.
Fry till done and keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan/kadai, add mustard seeds to it.
When it starts crackling, add chopped tomatoes.

Cook till tomatoes become fluppy.
Make a fine paste of mustard, cumin seeds,red chillies and garlic.

Now add the mustard paste to the pan/kadai. Mix well with tomatoes.
Add water to the pan. Then add turmeric powder and chili powder.
Once the water starts boiling put the fried fish into it with salt to taste.

Keep the pan on the flame for 5-6 minutes till the gravy thickens.
Serve hot with rice...