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    Home » Recipes » Indian Salads

    Khasi Black Sesame Radish Salad: Meghalaya Salad

    Published: Feb 28, 2019 Modified: Aug 28, 2020 By Sujata Shukla This blog generates income via ads. This post may contain affiliate links. PepperOnPizza may earn a commission for purchases made after clicking these links. View our disclosure policy for details

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    A simple, easy salad, and yet with great flavour. Wondering why I am writing a recipe with just 3 ingredients, hardly calling for a full length post?  Well, this is no ordinary salad. It is a tasty little side piece in the cuisine of Meghalaya, accompanying the popular chicken, pork and other curries. The Khasi Black Sesame Radish Salad has to be tasted, to be appreciated. The black sesame or nei iong adds a flavour all its own.

    White bowl of radish salad - grated white radish mixed with brown paste of black sesame, on a blue black background, edge of blue red napkin seen top right

    In The Seven Sisters, Kitchen Tales from the North East, the cookbook credits the recipe to Zorampari Duncan Sanyu. There are many variants of the Radish sesame salad as you can see, if you search on the internet. However, to bring you an authentic version, I have conformed strictly to the recipe in the cookbook.

    Making Black Sesame and Radish Salad:

    Let me confess here, that my salad would not have exactly the textures of the original. Sesame has always been my undoing. All my attempts to make Tahini have met with dismal failure. A dry sesame powder would have been easy, but the recipe calls for a paste of black sesame. I ran it in  the food processor. And ran it. Yet again. And then gave up. Instead of a rich paste, I had a watery concoction with the sesame seeds broken, yes, but not defeated.  I am going to get myself a sil bhatta (flat grinding stone/ ammi kallu ) and then I will be able to make a decent sesame paste. One hopes!

    Grated white radish in a glass bowl with a smaller glass bowl of black sesame paste, all on a dull white background
    Grated Radish and Sesame Paste

    One other interesting Radish Sesame Salad, also from Meghalaya's cuisine, uses Khasi Perilla Seeds. These look rather like white sesame (til seeds or ellu seeds) but are different and are native to Meghalaya. While researching Meghalaya cuisine I learnt that the Perilla and the black sesame are  popular in the State, and are incorporated in most recipes. Click on the link to read more about the Nei-lieh or Khasi perilla seeds

    The Khasi Black Sesame Radish Salad tasted very flavourful. The white radish was fresh and somehow not as pungent as usual. The black sesame seeds give the salad an amazing taste, difficult to describe. You have to make and try the flavours and aroma for yourself.

    About the Shhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge

    Logo for shhh cooking secretly challenge group

    As you may have read on this blog, I'm a member of the FB Group, Shhh Cooking Secretly. The group was started by Priya of Priya’s Versatile Recipes, and is now administered by Mayuri Shah of Mayuri's Jhikoni. The theme for Feb 2019 is Meghalaya. We have been cooking our way through the Indian States, in alphabetical order, and it has been an enriching experience. The Khasi Black Sesame Radish Salad, though simple, is typical of the region.

    My partner for the month is Prathima Shivraj. She and I are partnered for the first time, and we struggled together, trying to find suitable veg recipes for the theme. The final ingredients we decided on for me, were, radish and salt.  For Prathima, the secret ingredients were, garlic and tomato. Using these, she made a delicious Roasted tomato chutney.

    Prathima blogs at Prathu's Food. Do visit her site- there are several breakfast and dessert recipes, varieties of rasam, sambar recipes, rice varieties, and many others.

    I am not going to describe Meghalaya and its food, as all I know of it is only what I have read. Soon however, I hope to travel the North Eastern States. I can then bring to you my experiences and understanding of it's unique cuisine.

    This is the cook book I have referred to for recipes from India's North Eastern States.

    The above is an affiliate link to  a product. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase through it. I only promote brands and products that I trust.

    If you liked this recipe, here are some more Indian ones you may like:

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    A heap of mashed potatoes with onions, cilantro and green chilli and with mustard oil dripping yellow at one side

    Kothavarangai Paruppu Usili: Cluster Beans Dal Paste Curry

    Cluster Beans Paruppu Usili_Paruppu Usili

     

    Large white bowl of grated white radish mixed with a brown paste, on dark blue black background. Black Sesame Radish salad from India's N E Meghalaya

    Khasi Black Sesame Radish Salad: Meghalaya Salad

    Sujata Shukla
    Black Sesame Radish Salad, a quick and easy Khasi recipe from Meghalaya. Vegan and Gluten free, the salad uses just three ingredients. Big on flavour and taste, it is a popular accompaniment to the largely meat based dishes of the region.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 1 cup

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon Black Sesame/ Nei iong
    • 1 cup white radish Peeled and grated
    • a pinch salt 1/16 teaspoon or to taste
    • ½ tablespoon water

    Instructions
     

    • Heat a small pan and roast the black sesame seeds on the dry pan. Keep the heat on low and stir frequently for 2 minutes or till the seeds begin to crackle and you get the aroma of the sesame. Transfer to a bowl and let it cool. Wash, peel and grate the white radish. Set aside till required. Grind or process the roasted sesame with very little water (upto about ½ tablespoon), into a paste.
    • Wash, peel and grate the white radish. Set aside till required. Grind or process the roasted sesame with very little water (upto about ½ tablespoon), into a paste.
    • Pour the sesame paste into the grated radish. Add a pinch of salt and taste for seasoning. Serve immediately with your main dishes.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    1. Aastha says

      September 29, 2022 at 11:14 pm

      Absolutely loved the recipe! Does it have a local name though?

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        October 01, 2022 at 12:57 am

        Thank you so much Aastha, for visiting my blog and taking the time to write in! I'm so glad you liked the recipe. About the name of the Khasi Black Sesame Radish Salad- I understand its called Muli Nei iong. Muli is the name for Radish, which black sesame is Nei iong. I'm only guessing this, as the cookbook from which I referred this recipe had only the English version of the name. I understand that the Khasi tribes of Meghalaya use Black sesame in several dishes, this Radish salad being one of them.

        Reply
    2. Seema Doraiswamy Sriram says

      April 21, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      i will surely try this as i I love the smell of black sesame roasted. moreover the daikon radish is such a clear flavour, it is perfect for salads

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        April 22, 2019 at 9:53 am

        Thank you, Seema. Yes, the combination of radish and sesame was very flavourful!

        Reply
    3. poonampagar says

      March 24, 2019 at 6:15 pm

      This 3 ingredient salad sounds so simple and easy to put together ! Simple ,healthy and flavorful. Love that this cusine has many vegetarian dishes using black sesame seeds.

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 25, 2019 at 7:04 pm

        Thank you, Poonam! Amazing how tasty dishes can be turned out with the right spices, isn't it!

        Reply
    4. Aruna says

      March 21, 2019 at 8:14 pm

      The spiciness of the radish and the nuttiness of the black sesame much elevate this simple salad to a must-have accompaniment.

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 25, 2019 at 7:02 pm

        Thank you, Aruna. I was surprised how tasty the dish was with just these few ingredients!

        Reply
    5. jayashreetrao says

      March 21, 2019 at 7:46 pm

      Loved the simplicity of this dish, it must have tasted awesome. Unlike us, black sesame is used here.

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 25, 2019 at 7:01 pm

        Thank you Jayashree. Its the first time Ive cooked with black sesame too!

        Reply
    6. Pavani says

      March 21, 2019 at 6:46 pm

      wow,such simple and easy recipe with just few ingredients.It sounds very interesting and must have tasted delicious.

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 26, 2019 at 10:54 am

        Thank you Pavani, it was surprisingly delicious. Im learning a lot from this North East Indian cuisine theme!

        Reply
    7. Anu says

      March 14, 2019 at 3:00 am

      Such a simple and easy to make salad with just two ingredients. I am sure this will be just a cooling and refreshing salad in hot summers. Must try one.

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 21, 2019 at 9:48 am

        Thank you Anu! In this weather, any food that can be prepared quickly, with least time in the kitchen, is such a relief!

        Reply
    8. Priya says

      March 12, 2019 at 9:46 pm

      Just 4 ingredients incl salt..very simple...i have recently gifted myself a mortar and pestle, will the sesame paste in that...loved this combination

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 21, 2019 at 9:50 am

        Thank you Priya! Ive purchased a flat stone mortar and pestle too, but it is in Chennai and I have to wait until I can get it transported to Bangalore. I hope I will finally be able to make a decent sesame paste now!

        Reply
    9. Batter Up With Sujata says

      March 12, 2019 at 1:54 pm

      Only 3 ingredients sesame seeds, radish and salt wow it must be flavourful. I can imagine the radish and sesame seeds mixed taste. Healthy and delicious. Book also attracted me.

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 21, 2019 at 9:52 am

        Thank you, Sujata Roy. The Book was very useful as it made sure I was posting an authentic recipe, even if the salad was a very simple one.

        Reply
    10. Vidya Narayan says

      March 12, 2019 at 11:29 am

      The book you have is a treasure and I cannot wait to order a copy soon! Simple radish salad and an opportunity to learn about new ingredients via the post. Super!

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 12:02 pm

        Thank you Vidya! Yes the book is very nicely written, with stories for each recipe and a description of the food and culture of each of the Seven Sisters. I really want to visit the NE and try the food for myself.

        Reply
    11. Lathiya says

      March 12, 2019 at 5:54 am

      The radish salad along with black sesame seeds is totally new dish to me...it looks refreshing and delicious

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 11:35 am

        Thank you, Lathiya. Ive actually used black sesame for the first time, but Im going to include it more often in my cooking now.

        Reply
    12. Sasmita Sahoo Samanta says

      March 11, 2019 at 3:45 pm

      Most cuisine from the North-Eastern states is like so so simple yet flavorful ! The salad here using radish and black sesame seeds are looking much refreshing 🙂

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 11:39 am

        Its lovely isn't it, how they turn out such delicious food using minimum or no spice and very little oil!

        Reply
    13. Renu says

      March 08, 2019 at 10:33 pm

      Such a simple yet Delicious and nutritious salad. I love the use of black sessame here.

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 11:46 am

        Thank you Renu! I could have prepared a more elaborate dish, but I felt this popular salad using black sesame was representative of the vegetarian side dishes in Meghalaya's cuisine.

        Reply
    14. prathimashivraj says

      March 07, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      Healthy salad u have 100 percent justice to challenge n cuisine.. Looks soo fresh n apt to this season too

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 11:49 am

        Thank you so much, Prathima. The salad had great flavour, in spite of there being just 3 ingredients!

        Reply
    15. mayurisjikoni says

      March 06, 2019 at 7:05 pm

      Two different flavors put together, black sesame seeds and radish. Now that's one interesting recipe. I agree making a paste with the sesame seeds is tricky in a food processor.

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 11:48 am

        Thank you Mayuri. I always struggle with sesame paste! I've finally taken steps to get a flat sil batta which should make it easier to make such pastes!

        Reply
    16. Kalyani says

      March 04, 2019 at 4:49 pm

      have heard of this book , but yet to read this. I did a teeny bit of reading of the Khasi style of cooking though, for this month's theme. this salad is bursting with flavours !

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 11:47 am

        The cuisine sounds very interesting, doesn't it? I should try out more such recipes from the North East

        Reply
    17. The Girl Next Door says

      March 03, 2019 at 11:04 am

      Oh, wow! This is such a simple salad, with the bare minimum of ingredients used, and yet, it sounds so flavourful!
      I love the unique salad recipes that you come up with. 🙂

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 11:56 am

        Thank you, Priya. The salad is supposed to accompany the more robust curries in the region, but I enjoyed it just by itself!

        Reply
    18. prathima says

      February 28, 2019 at 10:04 pm

      voww simply superb..very detailed description

      Reply
      • Sujata Shukla says

        March 12, 2019 at 11:59 am

        Thank you, Prathima. This salad was such fun to put together!

        Reply

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