A traditional Newari ceremonial platter featuring beaten rice, grilled meat, black soybeans, ginger, garlic, boiled egg, and various pickles. It is the quintessential Newari feast starter served at every celebration.
Nutrition & Info
Allergen Warnings
Equipment Needed
Instructions
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1
Prepare chiura by lightly moistening beaten rice and spreading on the serving platter as the base.
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2
Prepare choila by grilling meat and tossing with mustard oil, timur, and spices as per the choila recipe.
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3
Season boiled black soybeans with salt, turmeric, and a touch of mustard oil.
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4
Arrange all components on a large platter around the central chiura: choila, black soybeans, boiled egg halves, julienned ginger, fried garlic, saag, and pickle.
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5
Serve immediately as the first course of the feast. Each person takes from the communal platter.
Did You Know?
The arrangement of items on a samay baji platter follows a specific ritual order, and the number of items served indicates the importance of the occasion, with the most elaborate feasts featuring over twenty components.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- multiple small bowls
- frying pan
- large platter
The Story Behind Samay Baji
Samay baji is the foundation of Newari culinary ceremony, representing centuries of refined food culture in the Kathmandu Valley. Every Newari celebration begins with samay baji, from birth ceremonies to weddings to religious festivals. The beaten rice (chiura) at its center symbolizes prosperity, while each accompanying item holds cultural significance. The platter format reflects the Newari philosophy that a proper meal engages all flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy. Preparing samay baji is considered an art form, and families take great pride in their specific arrangements.
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