Mohinga is a national dish of Burma. It is a one pot meal containing rice noodles in hot and sour fish broth. Aromatics like lemongrass, chilli paste and shrimp paste give a distinctive southeast asian flavour.
In Burma it is usually had at breakfast. It is available on the streets and in restaurants throughout the day. Well my suggestion is one should have it whenever one feels like having it.
Traditionally it is prepared with chickpea, rice flour, garlic, ginger, onion, lemongrass and fish. Generally catfish (Indian name mangur or singhada) is used in this recipe. Feel free to add vegetables and of your choice.
Mohinga requires a number of ingredients and the process is divided in three parts. Once you taste it you will realize it is definitely worth that effort.
Recipe for Mohinga
Ingredients for Broth
- 450 gms catfish (cleaned and cut into 2 inch pieces)
- 1 stalk lemongrass (only white part)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 litres water
Ingredients for Chilli Paste
- 3 stalks lemongrass (only white part, finely chopped)
- 4 whole fresh red chillies (chopped)
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 cm ginger (crushed)
Ingredients for Mohinga
- 200gms catfish
- ½ cup peanut oil
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- ½ cup onion (finely chopped)
- 1 stalk lemongrass (only white part , finely chopped)
- 1 inch ginger (grated)
- 4 cloves garlic (grated)
- 2 tsp shrimp paste
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- ¼ chickpeas (cooked and crushed)
- ½ cup rice powder (dry roasted for 3 to 4 minutes)
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- ½ cup onions (diced)
- 2 hard boiled eggs (diced)
- 100 gms banana trunk (boiled)
- ½ cup French beans (finely chopped)
- 600 gms rice noodles (cooked)
How to make Broth
In a big sauce pan pour water. Add catfish, lemongrass, garlic, turmeric to the water.
Bring it to boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Strain and reserve the broth.
Remove fish meat from bones. Set aside.
How to make Chilli Paste
In mortar and pestle pound lemongrass, chillies, onions, ginger and garlic to get a fine paste.
Alternatively mi xer grinder can be used for the same purpose.
How to make Mohinga
Heat oil in a pan. Tip in thea chilli paste and turmeric powder. Cook on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add shredded fish and lemongrass. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.
Now place the broth back on medium heat. Add crushed chickpeas, fish sauce, fish in chilli paste to it. Mix rice powder in 1 cup of coldwater. Add it to the soup stirring continuously to avoid any lumps.
Stir until the soup thickens.
Now add banana stalk, French beans, shrimp paste. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
In another big sauce pan boil 2 litres of water. Tip in the rice noodles. Cook for five minutes or until done. Strain water.
For serving put some rice noodles in a deep soup bowl. Put few pieces of diced eggs. Top it generously with fish broth.
Garnish with coriander sprigs.
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