🥬 BANDHA KOFI TARKARI (MACHER MATHA DIYE)

🐟 A Traditional Bengali Recipe of Cabbage

When we talk about cabbage (Bandha Kofi 🥬), one difficulty that comes to mind is how to chop it into the thinnest julienne slices 🔪.
We know it’s a little tough, but not impossible 💪

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s try! 👨‍🍳🔥

Take a sharp chopper 🔪 and chop the cabbage finely.

🧾 Ingredients (What Makes It Special)

• 🥬 Cabbage (Bandha Kofi) – finely chopped (julienne) – 1 kg
• 🥔 Potato (Alu) – washed and cut into cubes
• 🐟 Fish Head (Macher Matha – Rohu/Katla/Hilsa) – 1 piece
• 🟡 Turmeric Powder (Haldi) – 1 tablespoon
• 🧂 Salt – as per taste
• 🌿 Whole Cumin Seeds (Gota Jeera) – 1 tablespoon
• 🛢️ Mustard Oil – 250 gm
• 🌿 Cumin Powder (Jeera Powder) – 1 teaspoon
• 🧄 Ginger Paste – 1 teaspoon
• 🌰 Garam Masala Paste (Cinnamon + Green Cardamom) – 1 tablespoon
• 🍅 Tomato Puree – from 1 small tomato
• 🌶️ Green Chili Paste – ½ teaspoon
• 🍬 Sugar – ¼ teaspoon (to balance the taste)

🍳 PROCESS OF COOKING

🔥 Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Take a frying pan 🍳
Step 2: Put it on the gas stove and heat it well 🔥
Step 3: Add mustard oil 🛢️ and let it heat until it starts smoking

Step 4: Fry the marinated fish head 🐟 (with salt 🧂 & turmeric 🟡) until golden
Step 5: Remove and keep it aside 🍽️

Step 6: Fry the potato cubes 🥔 until light brown
Step 7: Remove and keep aside

Step 8: Add whole cumin seeds 🌿 into the pan as phoron
Step 9: Add chopped cabbage 🥬
Step 10: Stir and fry for 1 minute

Step 11: Add salt 🧂 and turmeric 🟡
Step 12: Mix well – you’ll see water releasing from cabbage 💧

Step 13: Add ginger paste 🧄, cumin powder 🌿, tomato puree 🍅, and chilli paste 🌶️
Step 14: Add fried potatoes 🥔 and cook until the water evaporates 🔥

Step 15: Check if potatoes are fully cooked ✅

Step 16: Smash the fish head 🐟 and mix it well

Step 17: Add sugar 🍬
Step 18: Add garam masala 🌰

Step 19: Cook for 1 more minute ⏱️ and serve hot with rice 🍚

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Serve hot with steamed rice 🍚 for a perfect Bengali meal ❤️

😋 Final Thought

AAHA! WHAT A TASTE! 🤤🔥

A perfect blend of cabbage 🥬, spices 🌿, and rich fish head flavor 🐟—a true Bengali comfort dish.