This Bachali / spinach variety is called by name nela Bachali / dumpa Bachali also. There are several names given to this healthy greens in different parts of world. ( But the name Ceylon Bachalii is given to several spinach plants ). Almost all these plants or creepers leaves are very healthy with lots of medicinal benefits especially this chettu Bachali variety.This recipe is very tasty and very easy to prepare.
Ingredients:
Bachali leaves – 75 Gms,
Toor dal – 175 Gms,
Onion – 1, medium, sliced fine,+ 1 small onion,
Green chilies – 6, each cut into two,
Red chilli powder – 1/2 Tsp,
Haldi – 1/8 Tsp,
Pappu podi – 1 Tablesp, ( you can substitute sambar podi ),
Tomato – 1, medium, cut into big pieces,
Brinjal – 1, medium, cut into big chunks,
Salt,
Oil – 2, Tablesp + 1tsp,
Mustard seeds – 1/2 Tsp,
Jeera – 1/4 TSP,
Red chilli – 2,
Peeled garlic cloves – 6to 7,
Curry leaves – few,
Hing – 2 pinch,
Tamarind paste – 2 TSP,
Method:
1).Pick and wash the bachali leaves.you can include tender stalks also. Chop them fine and keep aside.
2).Take a pressure cooker ( preferably 3litres capacity ),put washed toor dal, brinjal, tomato, green chilli, chilli powder, haldi, pappu podi, small onion and 400 ml of water.
3).Add a TSP of oil and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
4).After releasing the steam open the cooker and slowly drain some of the upper watery portion of cooked dal.keep it reserved for preparing very tasty rasam later, in my next recipe. Mash the dal and keep it aside.
5).Heat oil,add mustard seeds, jeera, hing, red chilli, garlic and fry till mustard crackles.Now add sliced onion and fry till they become pink and soft. Add chopped bachali leaves, salt and cook until soft.Add tamarind paste and mix well.
6).Now add the mashed dal, little water and let it cook under low flame for 2 minutes.Remove from flame and serve as side dish for rice/ chapathi/ poori etc
Tip:
a).If you add greens in tadka, prepared dal recipe looks attractive with its nice green colour.
b).You can go through my recipe list for pappu podi.