Doi Maach

Doi maach is a very authentic Bengali preparation served typically at lunch with pulao or white rice on a festive occasion. 

Note: We all know well fish is a very healthy food. Good protein, omega-3 fatty acids and calcium are present in good amounts. At the same time we recommend not to eat excess fish because of contamination. Fish is contaminated with chemicals, pesticides and heavy metals. Not only the marine fish but also the sweet water fish has these contamination problems.

Curd is healthy. We use milk and dairy products to get calcium. With this good argument we overeat this and suffer because excess calcium and protein can remove calcium from our bones. 

What will happen if we eat both, fish and curd together? Can it cause stomach cramps or white patches on the skin?

Fish and curd combination does not cause leucoderma (vitiligo) which can cause white patches on the skin. The reason for this disease is the destruction of cells which produce the skin pigment melanin. This combination cannot destroy the skin cells. Even strict vegetarians get this disease. The regular, traditional fish eaters do not have it more than the average.

There is no scientific basis for this belief. In many countries fish are marinated or cooked in milk and dairy products. Many have no problems.

At the same time we should not forget the milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance. You can enjoy fish and curd moderately as long as there are no problems. I have no problem to enjoy both together. Yes, it is a myth.

Doi maach 

Ingredients

• 5 Pieces fish 
• 5 tbsp Curd 
• 1 Large onion 
• 1 Large ginger 
• 4 tsp Cardamom powder 
• 1 tsp Turmeric powder 
• 1 tsp Cumin seed powder 
• 2 Green chillies (chopped) 
• Oil for frying 
• Red chilli and salt to taste

Method

• Chop onion and grind it to make a paste.
• Grind ginger to make a paste.
• Wash the fish pieces properly.
• Add salt and turmeric powder to fish pieces.
• Heat the oil.
• Fry onion paste, ginger paste, cumin seed powder and cardamom powder.
• Add fish and fry till it gets cooked.
• Now mix curd and chopped green chillies.
• Put it over medium flame till it gets cooked properly.
• Serve Dahi (Doi) Mach hot with rice.