Friday 1 June 2012

Dhekia Xaak Bhaji


Dhekia Xaak Bhaji (Fried edible fern)
This edible fern, called Dhekia (vegetable fern) has been a favourite of the Assamese. Can be eaten in many ways. Be it a curry or cooked dry, Dhekia tastes delicious. 
Dhekia is generally not planted or grown in gardens. They grow wild by the banks of streams,  roadsides or any unused plots of lands. This is probably the most common edible fern found all over Asia. The scientific name is Diplazium esculentum.
The name Dhekiakhowa Bor Namghor of Jorhat came from this very fern. 

Here is a very simple and most common Assamese Dhekia recipe : 
                                Ingredients :


 3 small bunches of Dhekia


2 eggs (preferably duck egg)
1 fresh green Chilly
1 pod of Garlic (optional)
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Mustard Oil
1/2 tsp Turmeric (optional)

                                         Method :


Clean, wash, chop Dhekia. Only the very tender stems can be eaten, the hard ones must be cut off. Heat oil, crush the pod of garlic and fry. Add the chilly and Dhekia. Keep stirring, add salt and turmeric. Cook covered in low heat till Dhekia is cooked. 


Add eggs


Keep stirring. Remove as soon as the egg is well blended. 


Serve with a plate of steamed rice.

14 comments:

  1. Ruprekha,

    How did I miss this one? I have to taste it when you come to Delhi.

    Take care

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  2. Such an ornate green fern transformed into an exotic bhaaji. Must be tasting as delicious as it looks !

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    Replies
    1. Yes Mr. Ramakrishnan, this bhaji tastes great. In fact, I simply love dhekia in bhaji form or curry.

      Delete
  3. I do not know if this is seen in the south. Looks fascinating and I'm sure must be tasting great with the recipe you have laid out.

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    Replies
    1. Well I too have no idea, but shall sure ask my sis-in-law who is a Malayali.
      Yes this recipe tastes great. My personal favourite is a fish curry with dhekia. Do look out for the recipe soon in this space.
      Thank you so much.

      Delete
  4. hmmmm I like the ingrediants definitely .. never heard of Dhekia , first time seeing it ..

    looks yummy

    Bikram's

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  5. I have never heard of this. I wanna taste this <3

    love
    http://www.meghasarin.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by Megha Sarin.
      It tastes great. Will soon post more indigenous recipes of Dhekia.

      Delete
  6. Do you know of a source to get the Dekia Seeds(Spores)? In the same vein seeds for 'Gol-Nemu/Guol Nemu' the Assamese one BUT not the Lime?

    You writing 'Xaak' makes me proud. Please consider writing Bhazi instead of Bhaji as 'ji' do not give our soft sound but a strong and rough sounding.

    Best wishes.

    DMH

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  7. Thanks, you made my memories fresh when I use to serve in Arunachal Pradesh we use to pluck it from the jungles...what a golden days they were...Miss north east and their people...

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  8. How to prepare dhekiya with chicken.

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  9. How to cook dekiya curry

    ReplyDelete