The Tengra fish is also called the Gangetic Mystus or Mystus Tengara and is part of the catfish family. People all over Asia love this freshwater fish. In fact, various types of catfish are enjoyed in many corners of the globe. In India alone, there are a huge variety of mouth-savouring dishes made from the Tengra fish.
An excellent source of protein, low on carbs and extremely rich in healthy fats, this freshwater fish is also a tasty food item. And if you want to taste this fish, you’ll be happy to know that it can be pan-fried, grilled, oven-baked, curried, smoked or dried.
Where is the Tengra fish popular?
Found lurking in the freshwater havens of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and other states across India, the Tengra fish is a staple item for people residing near Indian rivers. One of the most popular dishes made from Tengra fish is a Bengali Tengra fish curry that has travelled generations to reach many parts of the world. A fine, soft white meat texture makes Tengra a superb delicacy for foodies everywhere.
How to identify Tengra?
Tengra is often brown, silver, black or greyish yellow with a catfish head and long pointed whiskers protruding from around its mouth. With a comparatively thicker tail, the dorsal fins are almost as big as the tail. They often have a grey, white or silver belly to make identifying much easier. If it’s too much to think about, just imagine a small, thin and leaner catfish that moves fast in the rocky freshwaters of Asia. But don’t be fooled, as this small type of freshwater catfish, packed with nutrients, has been cooked for centuries.
Licious Tengra
At Licious, we offer fresh and cleaned Tengra that is ideal for making any dish. Our fish and seafood is sourced daily from approved fishing boats and is delivered within 24 hours of being caught.
We ensure the fish stays fresh by maintaining steady temperature controls between 0-4℃ at every stage, from sourcing, until it reaches your doorstep.
As a bonus, our expert meat technicians have already cut, cleaned, and washed the fish, so you have ZERO prep to do. Just use the fish straight out of the pack and into your pan!
How to cook Tengra?
If you want a sweet and sour dish, the Tengra will go well with tomatoes, herbs and honey. For a pan-fried dish with a kick, you can spice up the Tengra with plain salt, black pepper and chilli. For a delicious Indian curry, combine the Tengra with a masala paste and simmer till you get the right consistency. However you plan on cooking the Tengra, its soft white meat pairs well with rice, bread, rotis & more.
Tengra fish recipes
When cooked to perfection, the Tengra fish pulls off the bone in a most heavenly way. If you prefer smoked and dried Tengra, rest assured it will retain all essential nutrients even after long periods of storage. That’s the speciality of this freshwater treat which is easy to cook and compliments every spice.
Tengra Macher Jhal
For this Bengali curry, people coat fried Tengra in a masala paste. With enough chillies, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, turmeric and herbs, this catfish curry is popular in various parts of North India.
Tengra fish fry
Make a classic pan-fried Tengra fish, to suit your taste buds. Garnish it with salt, pepper, red chilli powder, turmeric and ginger-garlic paste. That’s all you need for a scrumptious fish fry.
Tengra Chorchori
Chorchori, is a Bengali style of mixed vegetables that accompany your main delicacy. Potatoes, Ridge Gourds, Brinjals, Pumpkin, Onions and Carrots are some of the popular vegetables used in the Tengra Chorchori. Add masala soaked, chilli-infused Tengra fish to the vegetable preparation and you’ve got yourself a wholesome meal.
We hope we have successfully answered all of your questions on Tengra fish. If you enjoyed this article or have further questions, feel free to let us know in the comments. Also, if you decide to give this delicious fish a whirl, we would love to see your creations. Post your dishes on Instagram and tag us with #MadeWithLicious. You just might win Licious Cash and be featured on our page!