All posts filed under: FOOD

Naga Food, Nagaland – NorthEast of India

Rootsandleisure_Anishi Pork

Recipe of “Naga Pork with Anishi” Cooked Traditionally in a Clay Pot

Today we have an authentic Ao Naga dish cooked over a fireplace in a Naga kitchen. It’s a pork dish cooked with Anishi (dried Colocasia leaves), Sichuan pepper “Michinga leaves” and napa. Made in traditional style in a clay pot, it is a flavorsome dish to be relished with a hot plate of rice and some chutney – a typical Naga meal. Read on to get the full recipe [Video included – at the bottom]. Ao Naga Dish | Pork with Anishi Ingredients 1 Kg Fresh pork (cut into 1″ pieces)  1 big Tomato 5-6 dried red chilies 3-4 Anishi cakes (Dried cakes made of Colocasia leaves) A handful of Sichuan Pepper Leaves “Michinga Leaves” Napa Clay Pot ( if you don’t have a clay pot, you can use a regular deep vessel and cook over gas) Ingredients (Clockwise from Left): Sichuan pepper leaves, Tomato, Dried Red Chillies, Napa, and Anishi cakes This Ao Naga Pork Dish is Prepared in a Clay Pot Directions to Prepare the Pork: Cut the pork into 1” chunks and dry fry in a deep …

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Spicy Korean Hot Pot Cooked Naga Style With Leftover Rice and Smoked Pork

Hot pots are a super popular dish all over Asia. Meat, fish, vegetables, tofu and noodles or rice are generally put into a pot of hot and simmering broth and cooked right at the table. Our contributor Miss Aier from Nagaland has a soft spot for Korean and Japanese cuisines and this particular ‘Spicy Hot Pot’ dish, inspired by the same, is great for a homecooked lunch for yourself, or with friends or a family dinner party. Whether you’re experiencing the hot summer heat or living up in the hills in the cold and rainy monsoons, this hot and spicy dish is perfect for you! Read on to browse through this recipe by Aier and fill your tummy with this comforting and steaming bowl of smoked pork, rice balls and veggies. Cooking time: 30 minutes; Serves: 2 Ingredients: 3 large pieces of smoked pork 2 pieces of dried anchovies A small bowl of cooked rice 2 half boiled eggs 1 red and green chill each (or to taste) 1 medium sized tomato 1 teaspoon of …

Rootsandleisure_recipe_french toast

#Recipe | Classic French Toast with a Decadent Twist: Banana, Chocolate, and Salted Caramel

Raise your hand if you have fond memories of devouring a steaming stack of French Toast for breakfast. We at Team R&L definitely recall savoring it as a packed lunch or enjoying it as a delightful afternoon snack at home. Today, we have the pleasure of featuring Sabiha & Sameena, the talented sisters from The Mid Mess, as they share their unique take on this classic favorite. Get ready to discover their delightful twist that adds an extra touch of sweet indulgence to the beloved French Toast. Let’s dive in and uncover their secret recipe! French Toast is a popular breakfast dish all across the world but this version by The Mid Mess is an all-out indulgence. Try this recipe out and impress your friends with a special dessert, weekend brunch, or a yummy snack at any time of the day. Ingredients for the French Toast:  1 tbsp Sugar 50 ml milk 3 bananas, thinly sliced 6 slices bread 4 eggs 50 gm butter, coarsely chopped 2 tbsp Nutella or chocolate spread  1⁄2 tsp cinnamon …

Rootsandleisure_Nagaland Coffee

Founders of ‘Nagaland Coffee’ Share Updates on Their Coffee Shop Launch in Dimapur

  Who knew Nagaland would be such a hotbed for high-quality coffee? With the neighboring places having captivated the world with their Assam and Darjeeling teas, maybe it’s about time Nagaland finds a place in the heart of coffee lovers in the country and beyond.  Today we chat with the two founders of  “Nagaland Coffee” – a day before the official launch of their first coffee shop in Dimapur, which promises to enchant coffee lovers in the state with their top-class coffee. They have also managed to excite many with the prospect of creating a sustainable coffee ecosystem – comprising of cultivation, roasting, processing, brewery and more. We chat with coffee expert and co-founder Dr.Pieter Vermeulen to know more about their story, their line of products and services, launch day and their future plans.  Meet the Founders ‘Nagaland Coffee Private Limited’ is a business venture started by two friends -Vivito Yeptho from Nagaland, and Dr. Pieter Vermeulen from Cape Town, South Africa. Dr. Pieter is a coffee expert, with a passion for, and knowledge of cultivation, …

rootsandleisure_recipe

#Recipe | Naga Style Crab with Garlic Chives

Today our contributor Inali from Nagaland shares a secret recipe from her kitchen. It’s a crab dish cooked Naga style with an Asian twist using fish sauce and oyster sauce. With an interesting blend of Asian flavors along with local garlic chives, this recipe is a must try for all seafood – and crab lovers! Read on to know how to cook crab in Inali’s local Naga style. Ingredients (clockwise from left): Green chilies, ginger, garlic, Sichuan pepper, dark soya sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, red chili sauce, corn flour, tomatoes and garlic chives (bottom) Ingredients : Fresh local crabs – 14 to 16 (depends on your serving) Big red tomatoes – 3 Green chilies – 6 to 8 Fresh ginger and garlic paste 1 tablespoon of fish sauce 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce 1 tablespoon of red chili sauce 1 tablespoon of dark soya sauce 1 tablespoon of cornflour Szechuan pepper – 8 to 10 pieces Green herb of your choice (used Asian chives here) Salt Directions to cook: Clean the crabs thoroughly. Add the crabs, sliced tomatoes …

Rootsandleisure_fishrecipe1

Naga Recipe | Local Pond Fish Cooked with Fresh Bamboo Shoot Pieces

If you love fish but haven’t tasted one that has been cooked in Naga spices, then you are missing out big time. Naga fish dishes are easy to make and use minimal ingredients that help retain the freshness of the fish. And the secret to the unique Naga flavor is to add bamboo shoot to the spice mix. It also removes any fishy smell. Today, we have a simple fish recipe made with easy-to-find ingredients and a taste that will not disappoint. This recipe has been contributed by Lilia Jimomi from Nagaland. Full recipe below: Naga Fish Dish with Bamboo Shoot Preparation time: 5 minutes  Cooking time: 25 minutes.  Serves: 6  Ingredients:  6 Nos. of  fresh pond fish (We’ve used local pond fish, but you can use any freshwater fish) 10 local red chilies (boiled and mashed into a paste)   1-2 King chilly (optional) 2 large tomatoes  3 tablespoons of mustard oil  ~200 gms of fresh bamboo shoots – cooked, and in big pieces Some sliced ginger Salt to taste Garlic and fresh red chilies for garnish …

RootsandLeisure_TheGRub

Hop Over To “The Grub Cafe & Bakery” in Laitumkhrah Shillong to Taste One of the Most Delicious Burgers in North East India

  Ah Shillong. One of our favorite places in the North East of India; a place where folks from across the region have shared memories of. Being a boarding school hub, students from across North East and even beyond come here for school and college education. You will thus see plenty of young folks adding color to the town. It is also a place for music and fashion lovers. So naturally, with such a vibrant crowd, Shillong has a host of cafes and restaurants – from cozy to fancy, serving a choice of cuisines.  Today we visit  “The Grub Cafe and Bakery” located in Laitumkhrah Shillong. Started by a husband and wife duo, the place is known for their delicious and gigantic burgers, and their cute bakery section – with a spread of the loveliest desserts to suit any mood and weather. Let’s go meet the founders and find out why this place is a local favorite. We had a chat with Banrisha  – one of the partners of “The Grub Cafe and Bakery” to know …

RootsandLeisure_Recipe_Innards

Recipe | Naga Pork Innards with King Chilli and Lemongrass

Today, we invite you to try another version of the beloved local delicacy – Pork Innards. Contributed by our friend Inali Jane from Nagaland, this dry version takes a little longer to cook, but it is easy to prepare. The combination of lemongrass and cherry tomatoes adds a unique flavor that gives off a fusion of East-Asian aromas. It’s a dish that anyone can try making, so let’s find out how to make it! Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 kg of pork innards consisting of heart, a portion of liver, intestines, gut, and spleen with fats attached. Sichuan pepper (slightly toasted and grounded) A handful of organic cherry tomatoes (you can use regular tomatoes as well) 1 fresh King Chili 4 chopped Lemongrass stems (1 used for garnishing) Fresh Ginger Garlic paste Salt to taste Spice Ingredients (L-R clockwise): Fresh lemongrass, Sichuan pepper, fresh ginger, cherry tomatoes, garlic Directions to Cook (Cooking time: 60 – 80 mins) Clean the innards thoroughly with hot water, and chop them into pieces. Add the king chili, a small portion of the ginger garlic …

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Three Friends From Northeast India Bring Yummy Food and Great People Under One Roof | Meet the Founders of “Cultured” Cafe, Delhi

Dubbed as ‘The mini North-Eastern food hub’, Humayunpur located in Safdarjung , New Delhi is a haven for North-eastern cuisine lovers and fashion enthusiasts. The streets are filled with restaurants, cafes and chic clothing stores. And as you walk through the lanes, “Cultured” cafe trails you back to another narrow passage – which is as beautiful as a picture (read: #Instagramable) and a perfect representation of the place that awaits the visitor. This pet-friendly (yes! you heard that right) cafe cum co-working space serves freshly brewed coffee and absolutely delightful food – ranging from breakfast favorites to wholesome and healthy meals to fresh desserts, prepared by one of the founders, who also happens to be a passionate baker. Here’s a chat with the founders of “Cultured” cafe – a team of three friends from Northeast India. They talk about their passionate venture, their collective roots and their influence, and of course, the food! Hello guys, please introduce yourselves! Hi, I am Esha and 1/3rd of “Cultured” cafe. I am 24 years old and a communication graduate. …

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Recipe of “Uti Thongba” Manipur’s Favorite Vegetarian Dish – Contributed by Tushar

No grand feast in Manipur is complete without ‘Uti thongba.’ Uti thongba is a classic manipuri vegetarian dish and there is a variety of how the locals cook and it is enjoyed as a main dish or even a side dish with your favourite meat curry . Today our contributor Tushar from Manipur shares his favorite type of Uti Thongba called ‘Usoi Mangan uti’ (Whole grain with fresh bamboo shoot uti). Read on to find out how to make it! Cooking time: 40-50 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups of overnight soaked dry peas 1 cup of sliced bamboo shoots 2-3 tbs of mustard oil 1 tsp fenugreek seeds 1 tsp cumin seeds 4 green chilies 1 bay leaf 1 and a half serving spoons of chopped chives 1 and a half serving spoons of chopped winter leek 3/4 tsp of salt 3/4 tsp of sodium bicarbonate. Ingredients: Clockwise(L-R) Sliced fresh bamboo shoot, chopped chives, and Overnight soaked dry peas Clockwise (Top R-L) Bay leaf, Cumin seeds, Green chilies, oil, Sodium bicarbonate and salt Directions to cook : Heat …