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Kinema curry
Fermented soybean curry
किनेमा · Sikkim's fermented soybean curry with tomato and chilli
Kinema is the Limbu and Nepali fermented soybean of Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills: boiled soybeans wrapped in leaves and left by the hearth for a couple of days until sticky and pungent. Cooked with onion, tomato, turmeric and fiery dalle or green chilli, it becomes a thick, savoury curry eaten with rice in Gangtok and Kalimpong homes, especially in winter. It is rich in protein and has a deep, almost meaty savour. Chef's tip: dry-fry the kinema before adding the masala; it tames the smell and brings out a toasted flavour. Outside the hills, Japanese natto is the closest substitute.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp mustard oil
- ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 large onionfinely chopped
- 3 garlic cloveschopped
- ¾ in gingerchopped
- 2 medium tomatoeschopped
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 2 green chillies or dalle chillieschopped
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 tbsp fresh corianderchopped
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp mustard oil in a kadai over a medium heat. Add 7 oz kinema (fermented soybeans) or natto and dry-fry for 4–5 minutes, stirring, until the beans separate and brown lightly and the ammonia smell fades. Lift out.
5 minStep 2: Add ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds to the oil; when it turns reddish (10 seconds), add 1 large onion and fry for 5 minutes until golden.
5 minStep 3: Add 3 garlic cloves, ¾ in ginger and 2 green chillies or dalle chillies for 1 minute, then 2 medium tomatoes, ½ tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder and ¾ tsp salt. Cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes break down to a thick masala.
6 minStep 4: Return the kinema, stir to coat, pour in 1 cup hot water and simmer for 5 minutes until thick enough to coat a spoon. Common mistake: making it watery; kinema curry is thick and clinging. Lightly crush some beans for body.
5 minStep 5: Scatter with 2 tbsp fresh coriander and serve with rice.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Protein
- 15 g
- Carbs
- 14 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kinema curry take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 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 fenugreek seeds?
- Leave them out, or add a little extra mustard seed (you lose the slightly bitter, maple-like note).
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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