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Chhum han
Mizo steamed vegetables with a chilli and herb dip
Chhum han is how Mizo families eat vegetables at their simplest: whatever is in the garden (pumpkin, chayote, beans, aubergine, cabbage, potato) steamed or boiled until just tender and served on a plate with a sharp dip of crushed chilli, garlic, salt and herbs. In Aizawl it is part of almost every home meal, eaten with rice and bai. The vegetables taste of themselves, and the dip does the work. Chef's tip: steam each vegetable for its own time and take it off when a knife slides in; overcooked chhum han is watery and dull.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the vegetables
- 9 oz pumpkinthick slices
- 1 chayote (iskut) or courgettethick wedges
- 4 oz long beanscut in 8 cm lengths
- 7 oz cabbagethick wedges
- 2 small aubergineshalved
For the dip
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp fresh corianderchopped
- 1 tbsp lime juice
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Steam 9 oz pumpkin and 2 small aubergines over boiling water for 6 minutes. Add 1 chayote (iskut) or courgette, 4 oz long beans and 7 oz cabbage and steam 5–6 minutes more, until everything is tender to a knife but still bright. Common mistake: steaming it all for the same time.
12 minStep 2: Meanwhile roast 5 green or red chillies and 2 garlic cloves in a dry pan for 2 minutes until blistered. Pound with ½ tsp salt, then mix in 2 tbsp fresh coriander and 1 tbsp lime juice.
2 minStep 3: Arrange the vegetables on a platter and serve warm with the dip and rice.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 14 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does chhum han take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of cabbage?
- Savoy or spring greens, same weight.
- What can I use instead of garlic cloves?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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