This dish tastes especially great with dried leaves or flowers of Elsholtzia blanda, locally called Lengmaser by the Hmars and Mizos (Kanghuman in Manipuri, Ban silam in Nepali, Ngarikna in Tangkhul).
Elsholtzia blanda, commonly called Pleasant Himalayan Mint, is a small herb (1 - 1.5 metres tall) with dense and velvet-hairy stems and branches. Pleasant Himalayan Mint is found in the Himalayas, from Nepal to Bhutan, Bengal, NE India, SW China, Burma, Indo-China, Malaysia, at altitudes of 800-2500 m. Fresh leaves of this plant is often eaten to reduce blood pressure.
Virthli KITCHEN Episode 3: SMOKED PORK with DRIED TARO LEAVES
(Vawksa Hro le Dawl Hro - A Hmar Ethnic Recipe)Ingredients:
1. Smoke Pork - Chopped
2. Dried Taro Leaves (Dawl Hro) - Cleaned, Soaked in Water
3. Red Chlli Flakes - 7 Pieces
4. Salt
5. Dried Elsholtzia blanda/Pleasant Himalayan Mint (Lengmaser/Lomba) - 15 branches
6. Ginger - Garlic (Minced)
7. Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) - Optional
Preparation:
1. Cook smoked pork in water for 20 minutes.
2. Add minced ginger-garlic to remove smell of pork (optional).
3. Add previously soaked dried taro leaves and stir to mix.
4. Add dried chilli flakes.
5. Cook until taro leaves soften (about 10 - 15 minutes).
6. Add a pinch of soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) to fasten softening process (optional).
7. Add salt.
8. Add dried leaves/flowers of Elsholtzia blanda (Lengmaser/Lomba).
9. Cook for 5 minutes for the flavour to blend.
10. Serve hot (with rice).
VIDEO TUTORIAL:
Happy cooking!
