Kewa Shamu Datshi

KEWA SHAMU DATSHI – the name itself translates to “potatoes and mushrooms with cheese.” Kewa means potatoes,  Shamu means Mushrooms and Datshi means cheese. This comforting dish comes from the beautiful, hilly region of Bhutan. I first stumbled upon it online, and the recipe looked almost too simple to be true. Curiosity got the better of me, and I gave it a try. To my delight, it turned out absolutely delicious—and we relished every bite at home! Bhutanese food isn’t something I’ve been very familiar with, but after tasting this, I can happily say I’m hooked. Sometimes, the simplest dishes turn out to be the most satisfying. And the best part? It took me barely 10 minutes to make! Cheese, or datshi, is a common ingredient in many Bhutanese recipes. In fact, their national dish is Ema Datshi—chilies cooked with cheese. Traditionally, Bhutanese cheese is made from cow’s or yak’s milk. Since that’s not easily available to me, I used regular cheese slices, and they worked wonderfully too. Ingredients.

• 1 potato.. Peeled, halved lenthwise and thinly sliced.
• 50 gms fresh button mushrooms.. Quartered.

Half sliced onion

• 1 small tomato.. Diced.
• 1/2 tbsp finely diced ginger
• 1/2 tbsp finely diced garlic
• 2 green chillies sliced
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp red chilli powder.
• 3 slices cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2  cup water.

Method..

1. Heat 2 tsps oil in a pan.
2. Add, ginger, garlic, onions, tomato and chillies all together, and mix well.
3. Add Turmeric and red chilli powder.
4. Add the sliced potatoes, mushrooms.
5. Add salt to taste and 1/2 cup water.
6. Cover and cook for 5 mins.

By now potatoes will be tender.

1. Arrange 3 slices of cheese on top of the potatoes.
2. Top with 1 tbsp of butter.
3. Cover and leave for 3 mins.
4. Once cheese has melted, mix everything and serve hot.

I served with steamed rice and a Fiery Ezay. ( spicy relish) Ezay… Bhutan chili relish

• 3 tbsps red chilli  flakes
• 3 tbsps chopped onion
• 3 tbsps chopped tomato
• 2 tbsps crumbled paneer or feta
• Salt, and pepper

Mix everything in a bowl and add 1 tbsp water at a time, to help the onion and tomato to release juices.  1 added about 3 tbsps of water in total.

Kewa  Shamu Datshi 🥔🧀 – straight from the hills of Bhutan 🇧🇹. Potatoes simmered with cheese… simple, soulful, and ready in minutes. Who knew comfort could be this easy?