The Origins of Sajji
A chef from Uthal, Balochistan, tells us about how the Baloch prefer red meat over chicken and work hard on raising their own livestock throughout the year. This is the original form of Sajji where one whole goat is slow-cooked for many hours.
Baloch Food Tales: Sajji & Kaak Bread (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Nomadic Balochi Dishes - Sajji & Kaak Bread
Watch our film on Sajji and Kaak bread.
collecting the wood for making the sajji dish (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
The Method
Meat is cooked in a highly calculated, methodical way in this region with some of recipes being passed down from generations. For Sajji, especially, the preparation of the fire is very important.
Gathering wood for the fire of sajji dish (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
The Wood
The dish is cooked with a dual sided fire with wood placed on either side of the meat.
A chef slices the lamb (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Preparation of Meat
Meat from one whole goat is divided into six equal parts.
Salt being used for marination (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Salt
The chef adds a minimal amount of spice and a generous amount of salt.
Adding olive oil to the meat (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Olive Oil
The meat is then thoroughly dressed with oil and fixed on large metal skewers.
Meat being placed in the middle of the dual sided fire with the help of skewers (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Skewers
The meat is placed with skewers in the middle of the wood.
Checking the wood as it burns and cooks the sajji (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Dual Sided Fire
A dual sided fire within a 2-meter distance is lit and the skewers are placed in the center.
Cooking Sajji with the dual sided fire in Uthal Balochistan (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
The Cooking Intensity
It takes three to four hours for the meat to be fully cooked. During this time, the cook expertly manages the intensity of the fire.
Chef uses rod to work the dual sided fire in Uthal Balochistan (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Managing the Fire
The chefs and nomads who cook this dish have to manage the wood and fire, their skills lie in managing this fire for the duration of time it takes to roast the meat - upwards of 3 hours.
Chef removes Sajji from the skewer (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Fully Cooked
Once cooked the chef brushes the meat of any residue from the fire.
Sajji cooked placed on top of green papaya leaf (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Final Product
Sajji is usually eaten on its own or with Kaak bread on the side.
Produced by SOC Films
Project Director: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Producers: Syed Ayub , Sameer Khan
Project Manager: Huma Shah
Director of Photography: Murtaza Ali
Photography: Asad Amaan, Murtaza Ali
Photography Editor: Murtaza Ali
Additional Video & Photography: Khurram Victor
Exhibits Writer: Raania Durrani
Exhibits : Syed Ayub , Sameer Khan
Video Editors: Sourath Behan, Asad Amaan, Nina Zehri
Color Grade: Sourath Behan, Asad Amaan
Sound Design: Sameer Khan