Ema Datshi ( Dried Chilly)
Ema means "chilly" in Bhutan, and Datshi means "cheese." When we say cheese, we mean cheese made from cow milk, yak milk, and sometimes processed cheeses, all of which are readily available in the market. If you don't have any authentic cheese on hand, you can substitute processed cheese. Ema Datshi is Bhutan's national dish. Datshi is indispensable in Bhutanese life. Datshi can be made with almost any vegetable. Ema, potatoes, Fern, Asian Spinach, and cabbage are among the most popular.
Regardless of which vegetable you use, making dashi is simple. It's a straightforward dish made with readily available ingredients. You can make either a dry or a soupy datshi.
I attempted to make Ema Datshi with Dried Chilly using simple ingredients readily available in my kitchen. Let's get started on Ema Datshi.
Ingredients
- Red dried Chilly- 50-100Gram
- Onions : 1 finely chopped.
- Garlic- 3-4 clove, finely minced
- Cooking/ Vegetable Oil- 2-3 Big Table spoon.
- Salt- According to taste.
- Processed Cheese- 2 slice
Process of making Ema Datshi
Step 1
You can use any type of dried chilly, simply cut it into small pieces. This is how I prefer to remove the seeds. Rinse the dried chilly 2-3 times with Luke warm water.
When the pan is warm-hot, add 2-3 table spoons of vegetable/cooking oil. Then, over a medium heat, add the minced garlic. When the garlic begins to brown, add the onions.
Step 3
When the onions are translucent brown, season with salt to taste. This is the time to add the dried chilly, stir it and fry it on a medium heat, making sure it does not burn.
Step 4
Once the chilly is stir-fried, add half a cup of water. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes while covered with a lid.
Step 5
If you notice the water receding, add half a cup of water to help the chilly cook faster. Remember to cover the pan and allow it to cook again.
Step 6
When the chilly is done, top it with 2 slices of processed cheese or Datshi, if you have. Reduce the heat to low and check that the chilly is slightly gravy before adding the cheese. This is done to prevent the cheese from becoming bruised. Close the lid for 1-2 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
Yaay! Your tasty, spicy and hot Ema Datshi is ready!
Depending on their cooking time, you can repeat the process with any type of vegetable.
Benefits of Chilly
Chilly has numerous benefits when consumed in the proper quantity and amount, including:
- Chilly aids in the reduction of body temperature.
- Green chillies have been shown to balance blood sugar levels.
- Chillies are an excellent source of iron.
- It also improves your mood by releasing endorphins.
- Chilies are also known to be beneficial to the eyes, skin, and immune system.
