Sikkim Gundruk Dhido Simple Mountain Meal Fermented Green

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup gundruk (dried fermented leafy greens)
• 3 cups water
• 1 tsp ginger — sliced
• 2 garlic cloves — crushed
• 2 green chillies — slit
• 1 small onion — finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp mustard oil
• Salt to taste
• For serving alongside: dhedo (thick corn or buckwheat porridge) or steamed rice

Method

1. Soak gundruk in 1 cup warm water for 15 minutes until softened.
2. The soaking water is deeply sour — reserve it. Drain gundruk and roughly chop.
3. Heat 1 tbsp mustard oil in a pot. Add finely chopped onion. Cook 5 minutes until softened.
4. Add sliced ginger, crushed garlic and slit green chillies. Cook 1 minute.
5. Add the chopped gundruk. Toss for 2 minutes.
6. Add 3 cups fresh water plus the reserved sour soaking water. Bring to a boil.
7. Add turmeric. Reduce to medium. Simmer 12 to 15 minutes until the gundruk is completely soft and the broth is deeply sour and flavourful.
8. Season with salt — gundruk is already somewhat salty.
9. Serve as a thin soup alongside dhedo or steamed rice.