Black Sesame Pork (Dohneiiong)
This black sesame pork also known as Dohneiiong, is a slow-cooked dish from Northeast India that delivers earthy depth, rich, and deep umami flavor.
Ingredients
For the Pork:
- 3 ⅓ lbs pork shoulder skin removed, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
For the Sesame-Garlic Paste:
- 1 ¾ oz black sesame seeds about 4 tablespoons
- ½ oz garlic cloves
- water as needed (about 4 tablespoons for blending)
For Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons mustard oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 dried red chilies use Raja Mircha chili if available
- 1 red onion sliced (about 120 grams)
- ⅓ oz fresh ginger chopped (about 2 teaspoons)
- 2 cups water
For Garnish:
- ⅙ oz fresh ginger chopped (about 1 teaspoon)
- coriander or sawtooth coriander chopped for garnish
Instructions
Marinate the pork:
- In a large bowl, combine the pork shoulder with the salt and turmeric.
- Massage the seasoning thoroughly into the meat until evenly coated. Set aside while you prepare the paste.
Make the sesame-garlic paste:
- In a dry frying pan over medium-low heat, toast the black sesame seeds, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and start to pop.
- Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, dry-roast the garlic cloves until they develop some browning on the outside.
- Add the toasted sesame seeds and roasted garlic to a blender with about 4 tablespoons of water. Blend into a thick paste. Set aside.
Cook the pork:
- Heat the mustard oil in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Carefully torch the bay leaves for aroma (optional), then blow out the flame and immediately add them to the hot oil.
- Add the dried chilies and let them sizzle for a few seconds.
- Stir in the sliced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until softened.
- Add the chopped ginger and continue cooking for another minute.
- Add the marinated pork to the pot and stir to coat in the aromatics.
- Pour in the water, stir, cover the pot, and cook over medium-low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the pork is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Finish the dish:
- Once the pork is tender, add the black sesame and garlic paste to the pot.
- Rinse out the blender with a small splash of water and add it to the pot.
- Stir in the grated fresh ginger.
- Cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with chopped coriander or sawtooth coriander and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 335kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 32gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 123mgPotassium: 611mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 3mg
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