Katla Maharani I Royal Curry of South Asian carp

Try this easy Katla Maharani recipe made with Katla fish in a rich, creamy poppy seed, cashew, almond and yogurt gravy with special roasted masala.

Katla Maharani is a rich, creamy and aromatic Bengali-style fish curry that turns simple Katla fish into something truly special. The smooth gravy is made with poppy seeds, cashews, almonds, yogurt, milk, green chillies, onion and ginger, while a freshly roasted special masala adds warmth and depth of flavour.

What I love most about this recipe is that it looks and tastes quite royal, yet the cooking process is surprisingly simple. The light, creamy gravy pairs beautifully with hot steamed rice and makes this dish perfect for a special weekend lunch, family meal or festive menu.

If you are looking for an easy Katla recipe that is a little different from the usual fish curry or Katla Kalia, this Katla Maharani is definitely worth trying.

Ingredients

For the Fish

·       Katla fish – 4–5 pieces

·       Salt – to taste

·       Black pepper powder – ½ tsp

·       Oil – for shallow frying

·       For the Maharani Paste

·       Poppy seeds – 1½ tbsp

·       Cashew nuts – 8–10

·       Almonds – 4–5

·       Green chillies – 2

·       Chopped onion – 2 tbsp

·       Ginger – 1 small piece

·       Curd/Yogurt – 3 tbsp

·       Milk – ¼ cup

For the Special Roasted Masala

·       Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

·       Coriander seeds – 1 tsp

·       Black peppercorns – ½ tsp

·       Green cardamom – 2

·       Cloves – 2

·       Cinnamon – 1 small piece

For the Gravy

·       Bay leaf – 1

·       Salt – as required

·       Sugar – ½ tsp

·       Special roasted masala – ½ to ¾ tsp

·       Green chillies – 2, slit

·       Warm water – ½ to ¾ cup, as required

·       Ghee – 1 tsp

·       For the Final Garnish

·       Kasuri Methi – ½ tsp, lightly crushed

 

Method

  1. Marinate the Fish

Marinate the Katla pieces with salt and black pepper powder. Keep aside for 10–15 minutes.  

  2. Prepare the Special Roasted Masala

·       Dry roast cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, green cardamom, cloves and cinnamon on low heat until aromatic.

·       Let them cool completely and grind into a fine powder. 

3. Prepare the Maharani Paste

·       Soak the poppy seeds, cashew nuts and almonds for 10–15 minutes.

·       Add them to a grinder along with green chillies, chopped onion, ginger, curd and ¼ cup milk.

·       Grind everything into a very smooth and creamy paste. 

4. Fry the Fish

·       Heat oil in a pan and lightly fry the marinated Katla pieces on both sides.

·       Do not fry them until dark brown. Keep the fish lightly golden and soft. Remove and keep aside. 

5. Cook the Maharani Paste

·       In the same pan, add the bay leaf.

·       Lower the heat and add the prepared Maharani paste. Add salt and sugar.

·       Cook on low to medium-low heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring continuously so the curd and milk do not split. 

6. Add the Special Masala

·       Add ½ to ¾ tsp of the freshly prepared roasted masala powder.

·       Mix well and cook for about 1 minute until aromatic. 

7. Prepare the Gravy

·       Add about ½ cup warm water and mix well.

·       Add a little more water if required and cook for 2–3 minutes on low heat until the gravy becomes smooth and creamy. 

8. Add the Fish

·       Gently add the fried Katla pieces to the gravy.

·       Add slit green chilies, cover and cook on low heat for 4–5 minutes so the fish absorbs the flavours. 

9. Final Touch

·       Add 1 tsp ghee and gently shake the pan.

·       Switch off the heat and sprinkle ½ tsp lightly crushed Kasuri Methi over the finished dish.

·       Cover and let it rest for 1–2 minutes before serving.

·       Rich, creamy and aromatic Katla Maharani is ready. Serve hot with steamed rice.

 

Katla Maharani is one of those recipes that feels luxurious without requiring a complicated cooking process. The soft pieces of Katla coated in a creamy nut-and-poppy-seed gravy, the aroma of freshly roasted spices and the final touch of Kasuri Methi make every bite comforting and flavourful. Do try this recipe at home and let me know how it turned out for you. If you enjoyed the recipe, share it with your friends and family and keep following dipsFOODboutique for more easy, delicious and interesting homemade recipes.

If you would like to watch the complete recipe-making process, you can watch the video on my YouTube channel, dipsFOODboutique. I have shared the step-by-step preparation there so you can easily follow along while cooking. Click here-: 

 

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