Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Two Bhutanese Recipes

I found a great website that has vegetarian dishes from around the world. Since I have been vegetarian since birth, I decided to find vegetarian recipes. I know that most Bhutanese cuisine is either vegetarian or uses a little meat. I noticed that Bhutanese cuisine is generally spicy.

Jasha Maroo (Spicy Bhutanese Stew)

Ingredients:
1 lb. gluten strips, chopped into small pieces
1.5 TB sesame oil
4 cloves garlic
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup leek, finely chopped
2 TB Shaoxing wine
1 tomato, diced
2 jalapenos, diced
1 cup vegetable stock
salt, to taste
cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

Add sesame oil to pan and saute gluten pieces, garlic, leek, onion, and jalapeno until slightly browned. Add wine and tomato and stir. Add stock to pan and stir. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes on low. Add more stock if necessary. Salt to taste and serve. Garnish with cilantro.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 2-4
Ema Datshi (Chili-Cheese Stew)

The national dish of Bhutan, this stew of hot peppers and cheese is extremely unique. It is usually made with a type of Bhutanese farmer's cheese, which can be approximated in the West by using queso fresco or feta cheese. If you can't handle super spicy food, try using poblanos in place of the hot peppers.

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. hot green chilis (jalapenos, serranos, Thai chilis - your choice depending on heat tolerance)
1 medium sweet onion, diced small
3/4 cups water
1/2 lb. Danish feta cheese
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 tomatoes, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp. fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions:

Remove seeds and ribs from chilis and cut chilis lengthwise into 4 slices each. Place chilis and onion in water with vegetable oil. Boil 10 minutes. Add tomato and garlic and simmer for 2 more minutes. Add cheese and simmer on low for 2 more minutes - enough to blend the cheese without completely melting it. Add cilantro and stir. Serve with Bhutanese red rice.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 2-4

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Bhutan Healthier than Nepalese

Warm Clothes Drive for Disapora Bhutanese

The Rotary Club in Edison, Illinois started a drive for warm clothes for new Bhutanese residents.  The clothes were dropped off the local Unity Bank and were distributed to 40 households. Some people gave monetary donations for the Bhutanese immigrants.
“We strive to support the communities we serve in many different ways,” the report quoted Unity Bank President James A. Hughes as saying.
“We are pleased to be able to partner with the Rotary Club of Edison on this initiative to help some of the newest residents of our community. We hope local residents will lend a hand in making this difficult transition just a bit easier.”

For the link to the story, Click Here

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Bhutanese Wedding Time

http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=9133
These days many weddings are happening across the Dzonghka region of Bhutan.  The weddings always take place at the bride's home.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Lifestyle Diseases Creeping In

More Bhutanese people in rural areas are suffering from lifestyle diseases such as stroke and diabetes.  Poor diets that are high in animal fat, sugar, and salt are causing these illnesses.  People are also becoming more sedentary.
These people with illnesses are costing the country a lot of money for their care. 

http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=25692