Lal Saag Bhaja

                                                   

                             Lal Saag Bhaja

“Lal Saag Bhaja”

However things change with time and now that I am a mum and understand the importance of green leafy vegetables, I try my best to incorporate them in some form of other in our meals. Might sound silly but I too cook up stories trying to make him eat greens like, “Spinach” starts with letter “S” and “Strength” starts with letter   “S ” too, oh ! feeding him peas is also a pain so I tell him “P” is for “Power” and “Peas”starts with letter “P” for my 5 year old and as he is in Kindergarten.  

Well here is a simple yet very tasty recipe of stir fried Lal Saag cooked along with Badi (sun dried lentil dumplings).

Ingredients

Lal Saag (saag) – 2 Bunch
Badi (Sun dried Lentil dumplings) – 1/2 cup
Garlic,minced – 1 tablespoon
Green chillies, slit – 4 pcs
Salt to taste
Mustard oil – 2 tablespoon
Extra oil for frying the Badi’s.

Method

Pick, clean and wash the lal saag leaves thoroughly under running water to get rid of any soil.
Once clean chop the lal saag finely.

Heat mustard oil in a kadhai or wok till it reaches the smoking point, once hot add the badi and fry until it changes colour to golden brown. Drain using a slotted spoon and keep aside to cool.

Once the badi has cooled crush it lightly, so that it breaks up into smaller pieces.

Heat around 2 tablespoons of oil in the kadhai and add the minced garlic and slit green chillies, fry for 2-3 minutes and add the chopped Lal Saag, mix well.

Add salt and mix well, the saag will immediately start to release its water, continue frying for 2-3 minutes and add the crushed badi, mix well.

Cover and cook until the badi is softened and the shaag is well done. (Leafy vegetables have high content of water, hence they can cook on there own. Since we are adding badi which will tend to absorb water from the shaak, if required add a tablespoon or two of water.)

Serve hot along with steamed rice and dal and a dollop of desi ghee 

Notes:

Please clean the saag very well to ensure that there is no soil left.
I love to make green and leafy vegetables in Mustard oil as that’s how my mom makes them, however you could use any cooking oil which you use and I’m sure it will taste great.
While adding salt please go slow, as the quantity reduces considerably.
I have used badi along with the saag but you could make it plain by eliminating the badi.