Best homemade Mackerel fish ( bangda ) tawa fry Recipe

Indian Mackerel (bangda) fish Tawa fry Recipe

Mackerel fish fry recipe Indian style  is very easy. You can read the full recipe with step by step instructions, how to fry bangda fish on a tawa with spices. Fish fry like bangda is always a great treat for me and many who loves fish fry. These bangda fry is a great side dish with a fish thali in most of the local Maharashtra's food ventures.

There is another popular version for this where the batter coated marinated bangdas are deep fried. But this is a shallow fry recipe on a pan or tawa.

3 crisp golden mackerel (bangda) fish Tawa fry Recipe

What is tawa fry?

Tawa is a flat disc shaped frying pan made from metal, ither from cast iron, sheet iron or aluminum. So tawa fry means frying food items over it using oil on medium to high flame heat. One type special masala paste is made using various types of spices, herbs and lemon juice to coat and marinate the fish. This masala also known as tawa fry masala. So tawa fry is a process of frying fish or other types of foods a a tawa by coating and marinating with tawa fry masala.

What is Bangda fish? 

Bangda is a type of fish commonly found in the coastal regions of the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the Indian Ocean. They are small to medium in sized with a streamlined shape,have a silvery-blue color with dark, wavy lines on their upper bodies. Bangda fish have a distinctive and robust flavor that many people enjoy. Their meat is oily and rich, making them suitable for various cooking methods. A good source of essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and various vitamins and minerals.

Bangda Fish in English

Bangda fish in English is called as Mackerel fish. It is very popular in the coastal part of India mainly Maharashtra, Goa, Banglore and other coastal parts. Bangda fish is full of meats and has bones which can easily be removed. It has a distinct flavour, very tasty and easily digestible.

There are many recipes out there for mackerel fish but my personal favorite  is the shallow tawa fry one. In these recipe you can fry the full fish quite comfortably. With very few ingredients you can prepare it at home and enjoy your meal. It goes well with both Rotis and Rice.

Bangda Tawa fry is my wife's favorite recipe and she made it just so perfectly that everyone loves it at our home. She also make surmai fry like this way that are so yummy and delicious. Today I am sharing my wife's  personal recipe for Mackerel ( bangda) tawa fry. If you love seafood recipes Indian then I am sure you would love this fish fry recipe. This is her homemade fish fry recipe which she prepare so nicely that we all love those delicious pieces of bangda with our meals. There is another seafood recipe called prawns fry which she make so perfectly crisp and delicious. Our Sous chef alway love this fish fry and recommened to their guest as well.

Steps to make the recipe

A. How to clean bangda fish

1. First cut and remove the fin of the fish from all sides by using a sharp knife.  Cut the tail part as well.
2. Then  cut and remove the mouth part along with the eyes. You need to cut at around 45 degree angle with the eyes.
3. Remove all the inner organs from inside the belly of bangda fish. Then wash them properly from all sides .  Clean inside the belly two to three times with your fingers tips to remove extra dirt.
4. Then make 3 deep incision both side of the fish . It will help to absorb all the ingredients flavours 
Incision marked bangda Mackerel fish for tawa fry Recipe

Next fry the curry leaves and let it cool down.
Fried curry leaves for bangda Mackerel fish Tawa fry Recipe

5. Take a mixing bowl and add all the ingredients one by one. Then add one teaspoon of cooking oil and fried curry leaves to the mixture. Curry leaves gives an aromatic flavour to the fish. Mix well to form a smooth masala mixture like this.
Mixture for bangda Mackerel fish Tawa fry Recipe

6. Now apply this mixture into the bangda fishes to coat completely. Note that the mixture need to enter inside the incision part as well.
Mackerel bangda fish coated with Mixture for bangda Mackerel fish Tawa fry Recipe
7. Keep the masala coated bangda fish refrigerated for about 60 minutes.
8. Heat 2 teaspoon oil in a heavy cast iron skillet in medium flame. Add two to three pieces of bangda fish in one batch over the tawa and shallow fry them.
Cooking Mackerel bangda fish in iron skillet tawa fry Recipe

9. Flip over when one side is crisp golden and cook the other side till crisp golden.
One side crisp golden fried mackerel bangda fish Tawa fry Recipe

10. Repeat the same tawa fry procedure with the remaining fishes in next batches till crisp golden on both sides.
11. Remove them over a kitchen paper to absorb any excess oil  and serve and enjoy the beautiful tasty mackerel tawa fry recipe with your family tonight at your home.

How do you know when Mackerel is cooked?

To check if the Mackerel fish is cooked properly check if the incision mark parts are moist and firm but slightly opaque. You can use a thermometer to check the internal temperature as well to confirm it.

Bangda masala fry (mangalore)

You can make this bangda fry with a masala known as tawa fry masala to make it  bangda masala fry. This popular tawa fry masala is found in Mangalore and used to fry fishes like pomfret, bangda , prawns and king fish( surmai).

Tawa fry masala in a bowl for bangda masala fry recipe

To make this tawa fry masala like mangalore style you need kashmiri chilly, betki chilly, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, garlic and fresh coconut. These all are grind to a fine paste known as tawa fry masala. 
You can fry a bangda fish with these masala to make bangda masala fry recipe like mangalore. 
For step by step method to make this you can read the recipe of pomfret tawa masala fry recipe.

Health benefits of mackerel fish 
  • Mackerel belong to a group of fish like Salmon and Sardines which contains full nutrients to prevent a host of diseases like cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, stress and dementia.
  • They are rich source of Vitamins and Selenium.
  • The Selenium is particularly effective against free radicals and help to fight Cancer
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is bangda fish good for pregnancy?

Eating fish like bangda during pregnancy can be a healthy choice but it is important to do so with some considerations. Here some benefits of eating bangda fish during pregnancy are
  • Bangda fish is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, which is crucial for the development of baby's brain and eyes.
  • Rich in high quality protein which is essential for fetal growth and development.
  • Provides essential Vitamins like vitamin D, Iodine and selenium which are important for overall heath during pregnancy.
Consideration : Bangda fish contains Mercuty, High levels of mercury can harm the developing baby's nervous system. It is essential to choose fish with lower mercury level during pregnancy.

2.. How do you know when Mackerel is cooked?

To check if the Mackerel fish is cooked properly check if the incision mark parts are moist and firm but slightly opaque. You can use a thermometer to check the internal temperature as well to confirm it.

4. Bangda fish protein per 100 gm?

On average, Bangda fish contains about 18 to 20 grams of protein per 100 grams of edible portion. This makes it a good source of high-quality protein for a balanced diet

For more seafood recipes you can read the following  recipe with step by step instructions.

Recipe for bangda fish fry

Crisp golden bangda(Mackerel) fish tawa fry recipe is serving

Bangda( bangada) fish tawa fry is a delicious seafood recipe that you can make at home. This crisp golden Mackerel fish fry are first marinated with ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, lemon juice and other spices.  It is shallow fry over gas stove using a tawa or non stick pan.

Prep time.    Cook time.    Serving
90 min            10 min.                2
Author :- Mobasir hassan

How to make Mackerel (bangda) tawa fry recipe 

Ingredients 
  • 4 - 5 Indian Mackerel (bangda) fish.
  • 2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste.
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder(paprika)
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin powder.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Coriander powder.
  • 1/3 teaspoon Turmeric powder.
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
  • 3 - 4 Curry leaves.
  • 1/3 teaspoon salt.
  • 3 teaspoon Cooking oil ( olive oil )
Preparation
  1. First cut all the fins and tails of the fishes. Then cut head along with the  eyes.
  2. Remove all the inner organs and with  the help of finger tips clean inner belly from any dirt.
  3. Wash them finely for 3 to 4 times.
  4. Make 3 to 4 deep long incision on both  sides of the fish.f
  5. If using curry leaves then fry them and  cool down.
   Making the marination
  1. Take a mixing bowl and add ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, cumin  powder, coriander powder, turmeric   powder, lemon juice, cooking oil and salt. Mix everything to make a paste.
  2. Now apply and coat this to the fishes on on both sides nicely so that it enter the incision parts as well.r
  3. Cover and keep marinated for at least  60 minutes.
Fry the bangda
  1. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a tawa or pan in high flame for 1 minute. This will make  the Tawa non sticky.
  2. Lower the flame and place the fish over the Tawa carefully one by one.
  3. Fry them for one minute and flip to  another side and fry.
  4. The fish slowly become crisp golden on both sides.
  5. Fry them 3 to 4 minutes per sides till completely cooked.
  6. Remove and serve.
                           Video

Mackerel (bangda) fish fry recipe video


           Nutritional value
           ( Serving size 1)
  • Calories :-  447.7  | Total fats :- 35.9g
  • Cholesterol :- 93.8 mg
  • Carbohydrate :- 0 g
  • Protein :- 29.8 g
            SERVING TIPS
  • Mackerel fish fry can be served as a starter or appetizer and also as a side dish with your main course.
  •  If using as an appetizer, you can serve green mint sauce or Chutney ( Cilantro mint sauce) , few onion slices and lemon wedges with Mackerel ( bangda) fish fry.
  •  It is best to serve with Indian breads like Roti , chapati, Tandoori naan or Tandoori roti.
  •  You can also take it with curry (fish ) and steam Rice as a side dish.

             RECIPE NOTES
  • Curry leafs add a aromatic flavour to the fish.
  • Mackerel fish has small bones at its belly part. While frying , you can remove them with a spoon
  • Make you pan or skillet hot enough while frying otherwise the fish will get stuck on the pan .
  • For best taste , marinate Mackerel fish for more than 3 hours to absorb all the flavours.
  •  Mackerel fish has full of meat, so fry them till crisp to taste better. Carefully eat them as they have bones inside.
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3 Comments
  • Robinson
    Robinson August 20, 2019 at 5:07 PM

    Mouth watering fish recipe! Tried it yesterday for dinner & my family loved it. Day before yesterday I tried fish finger recipe and it was delectable. Thanks guys for sharing delectable recipes with us.

  • Unknown
    Unknown June 12, 2021 at 10:22 PM

    Thanks a lot for mouth watering recipe. I was wondering if you can share method to debone (remove all bones) from Mackerel.

  • fatima
    fatima November 11, 2021 at 6:44 PM

    Thanks for recipe. Delicious

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