My name is Shayek Ahmed and I worked as a trainee chef for eight years under head chef Nurul Amin at the Aziz Restaurant. I am presently the head chef at Aziz and my cooking style is Bangladeshi/Indian.

My signature dish is Kodu Gosht (lamb with pumpkin).

My favourite place to eat in Oxfordshire is Bodrum, in Cowley Road, as it’s convenient and has halal food.

As I don’t drink alcohol, I enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at G&D, also in Cowley Road.

The strangest food I have ever eaten was Mutton Brain Masala.

My favourite type of cuisine is Bangladeshi and I am inspired by the renowned Bangladeshi cook and food writer the late Siddika Kabir.

Fish Dopiaza is a dish typically made with lots of onions. Fish such as hilsha, tilapia, carp or cod would be good for this recipe.

* ¾ kg/1 lb 10oz fillets, cut into small 2 inch pieces
* 4 tbsp oil
* ½ cup thinly sliced onions
* 1 tsp salt or according to taste
*1 tsp grated garlic
* ½ tsp grated ginger
* 1 tsp ground turmeric
* ½ tsp ground cayenne
* ¼ tsp ground coriander (optional)
* ¼ tsp ground cumin (optional)
* 1 cup thickly cut onions, green chillies (optional) split at top.
* Small bunch of coriander finely chopped

(Serves: 4-6)

Rinse the fish in several changes of cool water and drain in a colander.

Fry the sliced onions until slightly golden. Add all the spices and salt.

Stir and fry for a few minutes until the oil separates. Add the thickly cut diced onions, stir, then add the fish and chillies, stirring well.

Sprinkle with a little water, cover and cook for 10–12 minutes on a medium heat.

Finally sprinkle the tablespoon of finely diced coriander and cook for a further 4–5 minutes on a low heat.

Serve with rice.

Variations

1) Fenugreek goes well with dopiaza. At the beginning, when the oil is heated, and before frying the onions, add a quarter of a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds until they pop or are fragrant. Then proceed with frying the onions and cooking.

2) Half a teaspoon of amchoor (mango powder) or tamarind can also be added for flavour.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.