Indian Basa Fish With Bamboo Shoot Extract / Naga Boiled Fish / Boiled Pangasius Fish

Naga boiled fish is a well spiced, flavorful and exotic dish. It is one of the the best and popular fish delicacy found in Naga cuisine. This naga style fish is zero oil dish and it is a boiled fish recipe. Indian basa fish also called as Pangasius is cooked with fermented bamboo shoot extract and handful of basic ingredients.

Fish with fermented bamboo shoot or bamboo shoot extract is a common Naga speciality dish which is very famous and one amongst the popular dishes in Naga Cuisine. It is a traditional and authentic naga fish recipe.

The cooking process is very simple and straightforward. It doesn’t require any tempering, sauteeing or stirring. You just add all the ingredients and cook until it is done. The fish is boiled along with all the ingredients the recipe calls for till it is cooked and water is evaporated completely. Isn’t it that super easy and simple?

The ingredients for Naga style fish are also basic ingredients which are readily available locally. But if you’re staying away from home especially in cities then sourcing the bamboo shoot extract might be a problem because it is an exotic ingredient and not readily available everywhere. In that case you can skip the bamboo shoot extract and follow the recipe.

The Naga Cuisine uses mostly meat, fishes, fermented bamboo shoots, fermented soya bean, vegetables, chillies and lots of herbs in their cooking. Most of the dishes are zero oil and thus it is also considered as one of the healthiest food. The Naga meal mainly consist of rice which is the staple food, meat, fish, spicy chutneys, boiled vegetables etc.

This naga style fish recipe does not use even a drop of oil and that’s the beauty of the Naga Cuisine. The final dishes are nutritious,  guilt free, very tasty, flavorful, exotic and healthy as well. It is a simple and easy recipe with simple process.

INGREDIENTS THAT GOES INSIDE NAGA  BOILED FISH:

This section explains what all ingredients is used in making the eggless dates and almond cake, how to use or choose certain ingredients and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

The ingredients used to make this naga style fish are Indian basa fish, fermented bamboo shoot extract, green chillies, ginger, garlic, tomato, coriander leaves, salt and water.

LETS TALK INGREDIENTS

FISH –  The recipe uses Indian basa fish also called as Pangasius.
Substitute – You can use other variety of fishes like Rohu, Katla, roopchand (river pompret) or other local river or pond fishes.

BAMBOO SHOOT EXTRACT – I have used fermented bamboo shoot extract.
Substitute – You can also use fermented minced or shredded bamboo shoot. Also taste good with dry bamboo shoot.

GREEN CHILLI – Used the large and spicy variety of green chilli. You can also add 1 or 2 naga king chilli (raja mircha) for the extra heat and flavor.

RED CHILLY POWDER – I have used the local red chilli powder. This red chilli powder are local dry red chilli pounded with hand. Red chilli powder is used to give a colour and spiciness to the dish.
Substitute – You can use he store bought chilli powder or skip it.

GINGER – I have used the normal ginger. You can use the local variety also called as naga ginger. That will add extra flavor and punch.

GARLIC – Normal small variety garlic is used. You can use the large variety garlic or local garlic available.

TOMATO – Normal tomato is used here. Substitute – You can use local cherry tomatoes

CORIANDER LEAVES – I have used coriander leaves which adds a nice flavor to the fish.
Substitute – You can use the local herb culantro / burmese coriander.

SALT  – Salt as per your taste

WATER – Water as required

This is an excellent side dish perfect with piping hot steam rice along with curries or dal and other side dishes. This naga style fish is served after completely cooling down. It is best when served the next day.

I would definitely recommend you to try the recipe and please do share your thoughts about the recipe with me.

HOW TO MAKE NAGA BOILED FISH

This section shows how to make Naga boiled fish, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique with video tutorial. For full ingredients measurements and instructions, see the recipe card below.

I made a simple recipe video of this scrumptious naga boiled fish recipe for my readers which I have shared below. Please do watch and SUBSCRIBE to my channel if you haven’t yet. It will mean a lot to me and motivate me to come up with more videos for my readers. As always looking forward to your feedbacks!

Naga Style Fish Video Tutorial

Here’s a step by step pictorial instructions to make traditional naga fish.

In a  mortar and pestle add in the garlic clove, ginger roughly chopped, and roughly chopped green chilies. Now coarsely ground them by pounding them with the pestle.

In a pot add in the cleaned fish.

Add in the ground mixture onto the pot.

Add in the sliced tomatoes, local chilli powder, salt and bamboo shoot extract.

Now gently toss them well together. This will incorporate all the ingredients together. We will not stir the fish in the cooking process.

Add in water upto the fish level. Put on the lid and cook until the water is completely evaporated approx 20-25 minutes.

Do not stir the fish in between the cooking.

Once the water is almost evaporated add in the chopped coriander and take off the heat.

Remove the lid and allow the fish to cool down completely before serving. (This naga fish is not served hot until other dishes).

Your naga boiled fish with bamboo shoot extract is ready. Let it cool down completely and gently spoon them in a serving dish and serve with steamed rice.

NOTES:

● If one cannot source bamboo shoot extract you can skip it and cook with tomato.
● Traditionally we don’t add coriander leaves but with passage of time people started adding them as garnish and fresh flavor.
● Do not use store bought ginger garlic paste. Highly recommend to use freshly pounded ginger garlic.
● Do not stir the fish in the cooking process.
● You can also use cherry tomato instead of regular tomato.
● This dish is served best the next day.
● Raja Mircha lovers can add in chopped king chilly as per your heat preference for the extra heat and flavor.

RECIPE CARD

Naga Boiled Fish

Akum Raj Jamir

Naga boiled fish is a well spiced, flavorful and exotic dish. It is one of the best and popular fish delicacy found in Naga cuisine. This naga style fish is zero oil dish and it is a boiled fish recipe. Indian basa fish also called as Pangasius is cooked with fermented bamboo extract and handful of basic ingredients. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian, naga cuisine

Servings 6

Equipment

• pot
• 240 ml measuring cup set
• mortar and pestle

Ingredients

  

• 1 kg Fish  (Indian basa /Pangasius)
• 20 large green chillies (use as per your heat preference)
• 2 inches  ginger
• 15-2 cloves  garlic 
• 2 tablespoon  local red chilli powder
• ¼ cup fermented bamboo shoot extract (4 tablespoon)
• 2 large tomato 
• ½ cup Coriander leaves chopped
• salt as per taste
• 2-3 cups  water  or as required

Instructions

 

• In a  mortar and pestle add in the garlic clove, ginger roughly chopped, and roughly chopped green chilies. Now coarsely ground them by pounding them with the pestle. 
• In a pot add in the cleaned fish.Add in the ground mixture onto the pot.
• Add in the sliced tomatoes, local chilli powder, salt and bamboo shoot extract.
• Now gently toss them well together. This will incorporate all the ingredients together. We will not stir the fish in the cooking process. 
• Add in water upto the fish level. Put on the lid and cook until the water is completely evaporated approx 20-25 minutes.
• P.S. Do not stir the fish in between the cooking.
• Once the water is almost evaporated add in the chopped coriander and take off the heat. 
• Remove the lid and allow the fish to cool down completely before serving. (This naga fish is not served hot until other dishes).
• Your naga boiled fish with bamboo shoot extract is ready. Let it cool down completely and gently spoon them in a serving dish and serve with steamed rice.

Video

Notes

1.  If one cannot source bamboo shoot extract you can skip it and cook with tomato. 
2. Traditionally we don’t add coriander leaves but with passage of time people started adding them as garnish and fresh flavor.
3. Do not use store bought ginger garlic paste. Highly recommend to use freshly pounded ginger garlic.
4. Do not stir the fish in between the cooking. 
5. You can also use cherry tomato instead of regular tomato.
6. This dish is served best the next day.
7. Raja Mircha lovers can add in chopped king chilly as per your heat preference for the extra heat and flavor.

Keyword boil fish, fish recipe from Nagaland, no oil fish

INTERESTED FOR MORE NAGA RECIPES THEN YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT 👉 NAGA CUISINE

FEW FISH RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
● Rohu Fish Curry
● Shallow Fried King Fish
● Pan Grilled Green Masala Fish
● Fish Fingers
● Pan Seared Pepper Fish With Mashed Potato
● Green Chilly Masala Fish
● Karimeen Pollichathu ( Pearl spot in Banana Leaf)
● Fish And Prawn Tandoori Platter
● Garlic & Herbs Prawn With Chili Garlic Yogurt Dip
● Easy Pan Fried Fish
● Easy Fish Fry
● Fish With Spinach (Zero Oil)
● Nethili Meen Fry / Anchovies Fry
● Masor Tenga
● Fish Head With Cauliflower & Potato

All of these recipes are super easy to prepare, ready in no time, and will never disappoint you.

Well, if you make this Naga style fish recipe, please do leave a feedback in the comments box below or snap a photo and tag Akum Raj Jamir on Facebook and akumrajjamir on Instagram with hashtag #atmykitchen. I would love to see your creations.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I hope you liked the recipe. Your valuable feedbacks are always welcome, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you.

Happy Cooking!
Love Akum

About Akum Raj Jamir

administrator

Hello Everyone.. I am Akum Raj Jamir. I am a Naga Lady born and bought up from Nagaland. Married to a Tamilian and settled in Chennai now.  I worked in hotel industry for 3 years and later I shifted to corporate sector and worked in US based MNC companies. In January 2014 I was blessed with a baby boy and that it when I decided to quit my job and give me full time for him as well as the home. Now I am a homemaker ☺.  I started cooking at the very small age. We sisters used to help mom in the kitchen and followed the foot step of my mom and that's how I developed my cooking skills. A foodie by nature and a passionate cook, loves everything about food. Cooking is my passion. I love experimenting with food in my kitchen and try to bring the best in whatever I cook. I cook with all my heart and soul and this love is evident in the dishes I cook.  I believe in sharing a lot thus whatever I cook I share with fellow friends and my fan followings. So this space is all about food from my kitchen for foodies like me. Explore the recipes ☺