Sai Bhaji (Spinach with Dal or Saag)

Sai Bhaji, or Spinach cooked with Dal, gives a whole new meaning and taste to the spinach. It is one of the favourite traditional recipes of Sindhis from the area of Sindh. Cooked regularly in many households, this vegetable not only tastes great but also is a healthy and nutritious choice over many other vegetables. This is a recipe handed down over generations and perfected by my Maa.

Ingredients:

1 ladle oil

1/4 tsp haldi
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp dhaniya powder
3 onion (chopped)
4 cloves garlic
1 bunch Spinach (chopped n washed just before use)
1/2 cup channa dal (soaked for an hour n washed)
4 tomatoes (chopped)
3-4 green chillies (chopped)
3 to 3n1/2 cups water
a few strands of coriander leaves
salt to taste

Method:

Pour oil in a cooker n add onion in it. Add garlic and saute it till the onions are a little cooked. Add half of the washed spinach. Now add the channa dal and the remaining spinach. Mix in tomatoes, coriander leaves, green chillies, turmeric powder, salt, dhania powder and water. Close the cooker and cook till 3-4 whistles.  Cook on sim for another 10 - 15 mins. Let the pressure release and open the cooker after some time. Blend the mixture till most of the dal gets crushed and there are no full spinach leaves visible. Serve hot with with plain rice or chapatti and potato subzi.

And some more......

Be careful while blending as it is supposed to be uneven and not smooth or it will taste like some paste!