Thukpa/Vegetarian Noodle Soup

Arunachal Pradesh is in Northeastern part of India and its known for its tribal community. Obviously their food consists mainly of non vegetarian foods. However my today's post is a vegetable soup which is called Thukpa, actually Thukpa is a Tibetan noodle soup which have its origins in eastern part of Tibet . But this dish is quite popular in Nepal, Bhutan and in states like Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. Usually prepared with meats, you can still prepare this quite filling soup as vegetarian version just by skipping the meat part. Loaded with various vegetables and noodles, one can finish their lunch or dinner happily with a bowl of thukpa. And this post goes to this month's Shhh Cooking Secretly event started by me, which is now hosted by Mayuri Patel.

Zan and Rongpu Takeng - Arunachal Pradesh Special

After making a flavoursome gravy from Hyderabadi cuisine for Andhra state, now am taking you all towards Arunachal Pradesh. This state is in Northeast part of India and its one mong the seven states which goes under North eastern region of India, they are popularly known as the seven sisters. Arunachal Pradesh means land of rising sun, yes the sun hits this state before spreading its rays to the other states of India.This state is an agricultural state rich in production of cereal crops like rice,wheat,millet, sugarcane,maize and oil seeds, these are common crops of the state.Obviously rice is the staple food of the people.

Momos and thupka are the most popular dishes of Arunachal pradesh eventhough its still debatable whether momos are originated in Arunachal pradesh or has come from another nearby country coz the Monpa tribe of this state are responsible for bringing this dish here. Coming to today's recipe Zan is an another popular dish prepared with millet flour and boiling water. This zan is the staple food of Monpas, they usually have this porridge with vegetables or meat to which fermented cheese,soyabeans and herbs are added. This dish is almost like our South Indian Koozh aka porridge we prepare either with pearl millet or with finger millet flour.Rongpu Takeng is nothing a quick mashed egg spiced with just salt and ginger. This dish is called Egg Chutney and a delicious spread to enjoy with rotis which i chosed from Ramki's Space . The authentic cuisine of Arunachal pradesh goes for dishes which are simple to cook and delicious to consume.Mostly they avoid the use of oil and any kind of dry spices obviously they cook their food either by steaming and boiling to preserve the nutritive value of their food.