Pika Pila

Pika Pila

Pika Pila

Veg Vegan

Fermented bamboo shoot pickle — raw bamboo shoots buried and fermented in sealed bamboo tubes or pots, producing a sharply sour, funky condiment central to Apatani cooking.

Cuisines

Arunachali

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Total: 50 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

250 grams pork, cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon mustard oil
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chili powder
2 tablespoons bamboo shoot pickle
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
1 green chili, chopped
1 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat mustard oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. 2 Add fenugreek seeds and sauté until they turn golden brown.
  3. 3 Add the chopped ginger, garlic, and green chili. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  4. 4 Add the pork pieces to the pan and cook until they are browned on all sides.
  5. 5 Sprinkle turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt over the pork. Mix well to coat the meat with spices.
  6. 6 Add the bamboo shoot pickle and stir to combine.
  7. 7 Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil.
  8. 8 Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes or until the pork is tender and the flavors are well combined.
  9. 9 Check the seasoning and adjust salt if necessary.
  10. 10 Serve hot with steamed rice.

Tips

For a more authentic taste, use freshly fermented bamboo shoot pickle if available.