Photograph: Kind courtesy Miaansari66/Wikimedia Commons
Any desi seasonal preparation has to be my favourite genre of food! In the monsoon, when many a green veggie is off the menu, it's time to go for the greens.
Our tastebuds are usually in sync with the weather and crop patterns, and we feel like tucking into the green bhajis that abound in the rains and add much value to your meal. Green amaranth or cholee is one such leafy vegetable that can be easily spotted in your local sabji mandis.
The earthy, herby zing of the leaves is often deemed an acquired taste, but when you stir fry green amaranth with potatoes, garlic and onions just about anyone would fall in love with its tasty flavour.
Simple to make, this sabji is ideal for a school/office tiffin.
Green Amaranth Sabji
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 1 bunch or about 250 gm green cholee or green amaranth leaves, cleaned, stems removed and chopped
- 1 medium-sized potato, washed, peeled and chopped into cubes
- 1 medium-sized onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp raw peanuts
- 2-3 garlic pods, crushed
- ½-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 2 dry red chillies
- 1 tsp red chilly powder
- ½ tsp haldi or turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp jeera or cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp rai or mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt to taste, about ½ tsp
Method
- Heat the oil in a kadhai over medium heat and add the cumin and the mustard seeds and let them crackle.
Now add in the red chillies and fry for 10 seconds.
Add the chopped onion and sauté till golden brown.
Now add in the peanuts, crushed-grated ginger-garlic and sauté for a few seconds.
Add the potato cubes and cover and cook for 5 minutes or until they turn soft.
Add in the dry spices and mix.
Now add the amaranth leaves and the salt.
Cook for 5-8 minutes covered, tossing intermittently.
- Serve paired with hot phulkas, or bhakris or parathas generously loaded with ghee.
