Loitta Shutki Bhuna (Dried Loitta Fish)

Serves four to five people.

Ingredients:

• Loitta shutki (dried) - 2 cups
• Small potatoes - 2
  
• Sliced onions - ½ cup
• Ginger paste - 1 teaspoon
  
• Garlic paste - 2 teaspoons
• Coriander powder - 2 teaspoons
• Cumin powder - 2 teaspoons
• Ground turmeric - 1 teaspoon
• Chili powder - 1 teaspoon
• Green chili - 4 to 5
• Chopped garlic - 1 tablespoon
• Fried cumin powder - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon (as needed)
  
• Oil - ½ cup

Preparation:

• Remove the heads and tails, and cut the fish into 1" pieces.
  
• Fry them slightly in a pan without any oil, and then soak the pieces in cold water for about an hour.
• While soaking, clean the pieces thoroughly a few times in water to get rid of all the sand. Once cleaned completely, keep the loitta pieces aside.

• Peel and cut the potatoes into 1" pieces.
• Heat oil in a pan and brown the onions.
• Add ginger, garlic paste, coriander, cumin powder, turmeric, chili powder and salt. Stir fry with a bit of water.

• Once mixed thoroughly, add the loitta pieces and saute over low heat.
• Add the potatoes, chopped garlic and green chili after 3 to 4 minutes. Continue to keep over low heat.
• Add ½ cup of water after another 3 to 4 minutes and cover the pan.
  

• Once the water dries up after 5 to 6 minutes, and the loitta pieces are lightly fried, turn off the heat.
• Sprinkle the fried cumin powder over before serving hot.