Maian bai (Pumpkin leaves dish) is one of the favourite vegetarian dishes for Mizo and the most common food item in Mizoram. Pumpkin leaves are mostly seen in every of the vegetable markets in Mizoram. Cooking of maian bai is very easy and simple so that even little Mizo children also can cook in their respective kitchens in their homes.
These are the simplest guide for cooking maian bai (pumpkin leaves) in Mizo style:
1. Generally fresh/tender pumpkin leaves are collected for cooking.2. Wash the leaves with fresh water.
3. Remove the small thorns on the stem and leaf. Gently peel off from the top of the stem and begin to drag it down the leaf.
4. Twist the leaves into small portion.
3. Boil water in the pot, add bicarbonate of soda and salt to a boil along.
4. When the water is boiled add the twisted leaves.
5. Cover the pot and stir occasionally.
6. Add other vegetables like eggplant/brinjal, mock tomato, chilli pepper/chilli, ladies' fingers/okra etc.
7. If you want to add another taste maker you can add lamiaceae leaves or seeds (Lengser/lengmaser in Mizo)
7. After 10 minutes or more open the cover and check whether the leaves are softer or not.
8. When the leaves and other added vegetables are softer and after stirring occasionally leave for about 5 minutes.
9. Your cooking will be ready to serve.
10. Serve in hot is best preference, enjoy the taste of maian bai!
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| Mizo maian bai (Pumpkin leaves cooking in Mizo style) |
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| Mizo maian bai (Pumpkin leaves cooking in Mizo style) |
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| Mizo maian bai (Pumpkin leaves cooking in Mizo style) |
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| Mizo maian bai (Pumpkin leaves cooking in Mizo style) |
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| Mizo maian bai (Pumpkin leaves cooking in Mizo style) |
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| Mizo maian bai (Pumpkin leaves cooking in Mizo style) |
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| Mizo maian bai (Pumpkin leaves cooking in Mizo style) |
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| Mizo maian bai (Pumpkin leaves cooking in Mizo style) |
You may also watch the maian bai cooking video here: