Hilsa Pulao

What: Hilsa Festival

Where: Oh! Calcutta (Forum and Silver Arcade)

Open: 12.30pm to 3.30pm; 7pm to 11pm

On till: August 20 (may be extended depending on the hilsa season)

How do you like your hilsa — the traditional mustard-and-chilli way or recipes off the beaten track? Fried, steamed, smoked or grilled? With or without bones? Do you dig the fish eggs as well? Whatever your choice is, Oh! Calcutta (at Forum and Silver Arcade) is rolling it all out with its annual Hilsa Festival.

Til Lonkar Ilish

From bhapa to chargrilled and potol to peyara, variety is the buzz word both in terms of cooking process and ingredients used. “Every year we try to present a mix of traditional and innovative recipes. This time, watch out for hilsa cooked with humble veggies such as potol (pointed gourd), peyara (guava), kumro pata and lau pata (pumpkin and bottle gourd leaves),” said Indraneel Bhattacharya, chef-in-charge, Speciality Restaurants Ltd.

You must try Hilsa Pulao, the soft yellow basmati rice that oozes with the oil and aroma of hilsa, with the hint of a little mustard paste.

Potol Ilish is not a hilsa version of Potoler Dolma, as “many guests initially think it to be”. Hilsa cooked in a gravy made of roasted pointed gourd is a successful experiment.

Laxmi Ratan Shukla offers Ranadeb Bose a bite of Barisaler Ilish Dim Bhaja. Pictures: B. Halder

Peyara Ilish, as the name suggests, is a plate of hilsa slow-cooked in a marinade of mashed ripe guava with a mix of ginger, onion powder and green chillies. Those who don’t mind their hilsa getting a bit overpowered by the guava flavour can try this innovative recipe.

The festival menu also has the equally popular ilish maachher dim in a few avatars. Ask for Barisaler Ilish Dim Bhaja (hilsa roe fried Barisal-style) or Ilisher Devil, which is hilsa croquettes stuffed with roe.

If you are a traditionalist, there’s Shorshe Ilish, Bhapa Ilish and the simple yet delectable fish in broth called Ilisher Jhol.

A meal for two will cost Rs 1,450-plus.

Aam Tel Ilish Lau Bhate

Sibendu Das