National Day
On the 13th day of the 11th month of Sa-tel Lo, or December 17, 1907, monks, councilors, and leaders from different regions of Bhutan gathered to unanimously elect Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk as their first king. In 1616, Bhutan had been unified by Shabdrung Ngawang, a Buddhist Tibetan that ruled Bhutan for 35 years. After his death, Bhutan waited for his reincarnation to be chosen again as their leader. While they waited, other regional lords tried to assume power through a nationwide civil war. It wasn’t until the 1907 appointal of Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk as the first King of Bhutan that peace and unity was again brought to Bhutan. Born in 1862, Wangchuk and his father were governors in Bhutan. During the civil war, Ugyen Wangchuck defeated his political enemies and united the country to be crowned Druk Gyalpo, or Precious Ruler of the Dragon People.
Phaksha Paa
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter or oil
- 1 pound lean pork cubed
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 inch cube of ginger minced
- 3 inch piece daikon radish sliced thin sliced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 3 pounds bok choy chopped
- 2 Thai peppers seeded and sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
In a large pan add butter and brown pork when done remove pork and keep warm. In the same pan saute onions when onions are soft add ginger, and radish cook for 5 minutes then add stock and meat back to the pan and simmer for 1 hour, when pork is tender add bok choy, peppers salt and pepper. If you like serve with mung bean noodles and add some soy sauce or Ponzu.
Deb On Fare 