Ema Datshi, a cherished comfort dish from Bhutan, is now warming hearts and taste buds all over India. Here’s a quick guide on how to create this delightful dish in just minutes. As winter arrives, comfort food becomes essential, and Ema Datshi is a must-try for anyone who loves the combination of cheese and chilli. This dish has become the 6th most searched recipe according to Google India’s Year in Search 2024 report, highlighting its growing popularity beyond its traditional origins.
Different versions of Bhutanese Ema Datshi
Even Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has expressed her love for this Bhutanese dish in a past interview with Curly Tales, describing it as a cheesy variant of Indian pickles. “I can’t recall the name, but it’s Bhutan’s national dish made with chillies and cheese mixed together. It’s like an achaar they enjoy with rice,” she mentioned. A staple in Bhutanese cuisine, Ema Datshi translates to ‘peppers and cheese’ in Dzongkha, and the recipe is just that: chilli peppers cooked in a creamy cheese sauce. Its popularity in India can be credited to its warm, comforting flavors ideal for the winter season, along with its versatility — it can be paired with rice, bread, or savored on its own.
How to prepare it: Ingredients: 2 tsp oil, ½ tsp Sichuan pepper, 13 g minced garlic, 160 g sliced onion (½ large onion), 360 g chilli peppers (stems removed, cut into strips), 160 g tomato (cut into wedges), ½ tsp salt, 1 cup water, 100 g cheese (feta, processed, or any meltable cheese), 1 ½ tbsp butter (optional).
Recipe: Heat oil in a pan and sauté Sichuan pepper, garlic, and onions until aromatic. Add chilli peppers, tomato, salt, and water, cover and cook for about 8 minutes until peppers are tender. Stir in the cheese, allowing it to melt completely into the sauce. For added richness, finish with a small pat of butter. Serve hot with Bhutanese red rice, steamed bread, or plain rice.
Whether you are drawn to its creamy texture, spicy kick, or heartwarming simplicity, Ema Datshi is the perfect winter dish. With its increasing popularity in India, this Bhutanese gem shows that comfort food transcends borders.
