Sai Bhaji - A Sindhi Delicacy Of Lentils & Spinach

Hey,

I know it's been a long time since I last posted so firstly I apologize for that. I hope everyone has been doing well. As I told you in the last blog that most of my food memories are connected to my childhood and this #Sindhi delicacy is something I would just gobble up because it's that yummy. 

While I was a kid I remember my grandmother, feeding me this and it was usually served with Bhuga Chawal which translates to burnt onion rice and some fried potatoes tossed in red chili powder. Trust me one bite would send you into food heaven. 

Now when it comes to the cooking of this dish, keep in mind there are various ways in the Sindhi community to cook this but I feel my version is the simplest and is cooked in the pressure cooker. But then why is it called Sai Bhaji you must be wondering? So, in the Sindhi language 'Sai' is "green" hence the spinach and 'Bhaji' are vegetables. 

Ingredients and Cooking Process

Bunch of spinach

Some Methi leaves (Fenugreek), 1/2 tsp of dry Methi seeds (Fenugreek)

2 green chilies

Ginger garlic paste...1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp

2 medium onions

2 medium tomatoes

1/2 carrot

Small piece of brinjal(optional)

A small potato

1 small cup of mix Dal...Channa Dal and green split

Soak the dal for 30 minutes

Wash the spinach properly and cut it finely.

Chop onions, tomatoes and veggies...

In a pressure cooker...add oil...2 tsp

Put cumin seeds

Crackle but don't burn them

Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilies and a pinch of hing (asafoetida)

Keep the flame on medium

Now add some spinach then veggies and soaked Dal and upon all this add the remaining spinach

Don't add water

Add salt to taste, Tumeric powder, dhania powder

Give it a stir or two

Pressure cook it for 3 whistles and lower the flame for the 4th.

Switch off the gas

Let the cooker cool down 

Open and mix everything...can use a pav bhaji crusher or any heavy spoon.

At this time you can taste the salt...add if needed and add some red chilly powder.

If too watery then

Once done you can serve it with rice or chapati. I hope you can try this recipe at home and if you have any questions you can reach me on my Instagram @deliciousfooddude

#sindhifood #sindhicooking #vegan #sindhicommunity