Bengali Bhapa Maach

Use the same weight; cook 2–3 minutes less than a bone-in steak because fillets are thinner and cook faster.

Use the same weight; richer and oilier, with similar cooking time, but the flavour is stronger.

Use the same weight and reduce cooking time slightly; it lacks the bone and may break up more in curries.

Use the same weight or juice amount; sharper, so taste before adding all the juice.

Use about 45–50 ml for 1 lemon; add off the heat to keep the freshness.

Use 1 tsp for the juice of 1 lemon; add early. Sourness is flatter and less fresh.

Use 50% of the weight. Mimics turmeric's warm, earthy, rhizome background, but provides none of the golden-yellow colour.

Steep a tiny pinch (0.1 g per 2 g turmeric) in 2 tbsp warm water; use to match the rich golden hue. Contributes an aristocratic, honeyed floral flavour rather than earthy bitterness.

Use the same weight for tempering. It is the closest match; watch the heat because it can pop faster than yellow mustard seed.

Use the same weight, or 75% if you want less heat. It is sharper and more pungent; temper in hot oil as usual.

Use about half the weight of whole seed, mix with a little water and add near the end. It will not give the same whole-seed crunch in a tempering.

Use equal weight. Pop in hot fat until they crackle and turn greyish; yields an almost identical nutty, pungent finish.

Use equal weight. Fry over medium heat; delivers a milder, sweeter pop and turns bitter quickly if the oil is excessively hot.

Use the same weight in savoury dishes; it adds body, so adjust salt.

Use the same weight only in doughs or creamy dishes; it makes the result richer.

Use the same weight in curries or rice; it adds sweetness and a faint coconut taste.

Use the same weight; heat and flavour are very close.

Use 1.5 to 2 times the weight; deseed for less heat. Larger chillies are more watery.

Use 1.5 to 2 times the weight; chop finely and adjust heat by tasting.

Use the same weight and grate finely. This is the direct fresh substitute; keep the same cooking time.

Use the same weight, then soak in warm water for 10 minutes and squeeze dry. Drier and less sweet; add a splash of water if the dish looks dry.

Use the same weight, soak in warm water for 10–15 minutes, then squeeze. Coarser and drier than fresh; good for curries and chutneys.

Use equal weight; grate or shave finely so it dissolves rapidly, giving a warm, caramel-like sweetness and slightly darker sauce.

Use the same weight; this is the first half of the book's option and gives the best red colour with mild heat.

Use the same weight; add a pinch of cayenne pepper for warmth. Slightly less colour.

Use the same weight and add cayenne pepper to taste; works but is less aromatic.