WATEPA

DESCRIPTION – The abode of clouds Meghalaya and also the wettest place on earth besides all these things, Meghalaya has an authentic taste of food which people from various places love to come and taste the delicacy of the food and Watepa (fish barbequed in banana leaves) is one of the dishes that everyone will love to eat.

DURATION- 20 MINUTES

SERVES – 2 TO 4 PEOPLE

INGREDIENTS:                                               QUANTITY

Fish fillet                                                                    1 kg

Salt                                                                             1 tsp

Green Chillies                                                        (finely chopped)

Onion (chopped)                                                      1 medium-sized

Banana leaves                                                               3 nos.

Indigenous soda/ Sodium bi carbonate                    a drop/ ½ tsp

METHOD:

Wash fish and drain thoroughly, then chop finely. Combine fish with remaining ingredients (except banana leaves).

Clean banana leaves with a damp clothes from both sides, dry and pass over an open flame to make them flexible (take care not to burn the leaves). Then cut the leaves into 5” squares. (Instead of banana leaves, foil can be used but it would need 3-4 wrappings).

Spoon out 2 tbsp of mixture in centre of each banana leaf and fold to form parcels. Tie with cotton string to secure parcels.

Cook fish parcels over a charcoal fire (it can also be cooked in an oven preheated to 180 degree c) for about 15 minutes, turning them from time to time for even cooking, till leaves turn brown.

Prepare a bowl to serve, cover it with banana leaf.

Open parcels, empty contents into a bowl and serve it with steamed rice.

Source: Ashish Chopra (Culinary Historian, Travel Writer, Author, Columnist, Passionate Gourmet, Television Host)