Nepal is a country of diverse cultures, traditions, and, of course, mouthwatering food. One of the most exciting and unique cuisines from Nepal is Newari cuisine. It is famous for its bold flavours, rich spices, and the use of fresh, local ingredients. Among the many delicious dishes in Newari food, the Chicken Newari Set is a must-try. This set meal is a combination of various traditional Newari items served together, creating a perfect balance of taste and texture.
Here’s how you can make this delicious dish at home:
Ingredients:
To prepare this Chicken Newari Set, you’ll need to gather a mix of simple and traditional ingredients. Here’s your list:
- 500g chicken breasts/thighs (grilled or boiled)
- 3 tbsp mustard oil
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- A handful of chopped cilantro
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup bitten rice (beaten rice or chiura)
- 1 cup black-eyed beans, boiled
- 1 cup soybean, fried till crispy
- 1 cup spinach, lightly sauteed with garlic
- Bamboo shoot pickle (you can purchase this or make it fresh)
- 2 fried eggs
- 2 lentil cakes (bara) – these are like little savoury pancakes
Cooking Instructions
- Start by grilling or boiling your chicken until it’s tender and juicy. You can slice it into small pieces or shred it, depending on your preference. Heat mustard oil until it’s smoking, then add fenugreek seeds.
- Once the seeds turn dark, toss in the garlic and stir. Add cooked chicken, turmeric, chilli, and cumin powder. Mix well, turn off the stove, and finish with lemon juice and cilantro. Set the choila aside.
- To make lentil cakes, soak black lentils (urad dal) overnight. Blend into a smooth batter with a little salt. Heat a frying pan with some oil, pour in small portions of the batter, and fry until golden brown. These soft and crunchy beauties add a special touch to the set.
- Lightly rinse your bitten rice to remove any excess dust and get rid of its raw smell. Pat it dry.
- Boil black-eyed beans and saute them lightly in oil with a dash of salt.
- Fry soybeans in a splash of oil until crispy.
- For spinach, toss it in a hot pan with garlic, salt, and a little oil until it’s wilted but still bright green.
- Prepare your fried eggs to your liking—soft or crispy. For the bamboo shoot, either saute with a hint of seasoning or use pickled bamboo shoots straight from the jar for extra tang.
- Now comes the best part—assembling your Chicken Newari Set! Arrange the choila in the centre. Surround it with a scoop of bitten rice, spoonfuls of black-eyed beans, crispy soybeans, sauteed spinach, and the bamboo shoot pickle. Add the fried egg and lentil cakes on the side to complete the dish.
Pro Tip: Newari meals are best enjoyed when served warm. Keep each component ready, but reheat lightly before serving to maintain their textures and flavours.
If you’re short on time to make this recipe, visit Gurkhas and try our authentic Chicken Newari Set instead. Our chefs have perfected this dish to offer you the same taste and experience as in Nepal.
