Sobai Jwng Daau Jwng

Sobai Jwng Daau Jwng
Boro cuisine is generally delicious and hugely non-vegetarian. Normally only vegetables are not eaten unless of course they don't have meat or fish. Favourite is pork which is eaten either fresh or smoked. Chicken and mutton are eaten fresh. Fish is eaten fresh, smoked and sun dried. Black Lentil is what Bodos enjoy the most, even this is mostly not eaten as a vegetarian dish. So much importance is given to food that Bodos greet one another by asking "What was the curry you have eaten today?" instead of "How are you?" The other then replies, if he has eaten well which usually means non vegetarian, with happiness whatever curry he has eaten. But if he hasn't eaten well i. e. vegetarian meal or cannot afford to eat non vegetarian meals, then he replies "nothing , only rice" or "with daal", which is in a sad note. Best reply is "Sobai jwng daau jwng". That's the favourite of Bodos. Therefore, sometimes a poor man when asked what was his curry, he cynically says " Sobai jwng daau jwng, what else?" 
"Sobai Jwng Daau Jwng" means Black Lentil which is lightly roasted and crushed  to split it open/remove some of the skin and bring in the aroma, then cooked with chicken. Bodos regard this dish the tastiest. 
Sobai cooked with smoked pork is another delicacy of the Bodos. 

To cook this Bodo Delicacy you need :

1 small country Chicken (500g), diced. Black Lentil1cup, refer to the above mentioned method of preparing it before cooking. Paste of 1 Onion+little Ginger+10pods of Garlic.

1tblsp Khaari 
Khaari : alkali, 
Procedure of making : sun dry banana peels and trunks of the plant, burn to collect the ash. Pour water, keep over night, strain and store the clear brown liquid to use in curries. This is very common and used in a variety of dishes all over the North Eastern part of India.

1tsp Turmeric. Salt to taste. A few Bay leaves. Green Chillies chopped, to taste. A bunch of fresh Coriander, chopped.

 2 to 3 tbsp mustard oil.

Cook Black Lentil with 3cups of water, salt and turmeric till half done, keep aside. Heat oil in a pan and fry Chicken with all the ingredients except coriander till it turns golden brown.

Pour the cooked Black Lentil to the golden brown fried Chicken and cook covered till meat is tender and gravy thickens. Can be pressure cooked too. Add warm water if necessary while cooking. Add khaari. Make sure you do not add khaari while pressure cooking. Check salt.

Sobai(Black Lentil) Jwng(with) Daau(Chicken)Jwng is ready.

Sprinkle with chopped fresh coriander and serve with rice.