Bis Keemiya

Bis Keemiya; one of the few Maldivian vegetarian short eats is truly a delight and sometimes makes one wonder why eat meat at all! Although you would normally buy them at your local cafe', it is undoubtedly very easy to make and you will be rewarded at the end of the day when you're sitting in front your TV with your group of friends devouring a bowl full of Bis Keemiya! 

The process is similar to the process of making Bajiya - which involves making flat bread/chappaati and also the filling.

Things you need for the dough:

• 2 cups of fine wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
• 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup hot water

Things you need for the filling:

• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic finely choppes/crushed to form a paste
• 3 Thai Pepper Chillies chopped  or if you prefer to use Scotch Bonnet use a little bit according to your needs
• 2 hard boiled eggs cut into small bits using an egg slicer
• 2 cups cabbage finely sliced
• 1/2 Tablespoon ground pepper
• Salt to taste

Preparation of the dough and flat bread:

 

First put flour in a mixing bowl and make a depression in the center using a spoon and pour the vegetable oil into the depression and sprinkle salt over the flour.

With a wooden spoon mix the flour, vegetable oil and salt together.

Pour in the hot water. This is an important step as too much water can completely ruin the sheets that you are going to make and too little water will make the dough difficult to roll as it will turn out too dry and hard. Mix with the wooden spoon as you pour the hot water.

Knead the dough for approximately 5 to 7 minutes until the it becomes soft.

Then shape the dough into balls the size of a strawberry.

After you are done, using a rolling pin and board roll out each of the balls into circular sheets 3inches in diameter. This can be made easier if you dust the rolling board with flour throughout.

Place the sheets on a clean surface such that each consecutive sheet will not touch eachother.

Repeat until you are done with all the sheets.

Preparation of the filling:

Place the onion, garlic, chilli and salt in a mixing bowl and mix together using a wooden spoon or if you prefer you can use your hand too. When adding salt keep in mind that there are still ingredients to be added.

Add the cabbage and mix well.

Next add the eggs as you are mixing and keep in mind not to mix too hard because  the egg bits will break and form a paste eventually.

Add pepper when you are done mixing.

Preparation of the Biskeemiya:

The preparation of the Biskeemiya involves folding the sheets with the filling inside. The steps involved are shown in the pictures below.

1) Place the sheet on a flat surface and place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of the sheet as shown below.

2) Next, fold opposite ends of the sheet as shown below and secure them.

3) Then fold one of the two remaining sides as shown.

4) Finally fold the remaining side as shown and secure it.

 The folding process is not very easy if you are doing this for the first time but don't worry because soon enough you'll master the skill and the process will be easy peasy!

After you are done preparing all the Bis Keemiyas, its time to deep fry them. Deep fry the Bis Keemiya's in vegetable oil in a large frying pan at medium heat until they turn golden brown. This usually takes approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Enjoy!