All recipes

Mizo Vawksa Bai

Mizoram's comforting pork stew with greens and bamboo shoot — mild, brothy, almost no oil.

Ingredients

• 500 g pork (or smoked pork), cubed
• 1 cup bamboo shoot, sliced
• 2 cups mustard greens or pumpkin leaves, chopped
• 1 cup brinjal or beans, chopped
• 3 green chillies, crushed
• 1 tsp soda bicarbonate (traditional, optional)
• 1 bunch spring onion
• salt to taste

Method

1. Boil pork in 3 cups water with salt for 20 minutes.
2. Add bamboo shoot and the vegetables.
3. Add crushed chillies and the soda if using (it softens the greens quickly).
4. Simmer 15 minutes till everything is soft and the broth is flavourful.
5. Finish with spring onion and serve with rice.

Tip: Bai is meant to be simple — let the pork and fresh greens do the work.