Bathua Kadhi

I picked up bathua saag from the local market not knowing what I would eventually do with it, but confident my Bihari friends who swear by the greens would come up with some help. ‘Raita bana lo’ said everyone. I checked the internet and there was no doubt the raita topped the list of things to do with this curious winter green. Only if I could train my mind to follow the herd, life would have been much simpler. However, not wanting to wander much further from the herd, I chose to do a kadhi instead. It it goes well with yoghurt, chances are it would like to be in a kadhi too.

Ingredients:

• Bathuye ka saag: 1 bundle
• Yoghurt/curd: 2 cups, whipped
• Gram flour/besan: 2 tbsp
• Asafoetida/heeng: a pinch
• Mustard seeds: 1 tsp
• Curry leaves: 1 tbsp
• Ginger: 1 tbsp, grated
• Green chilly: 1 no, chopped
• Oil: 1 tbsp
• Salt and sugar to taste

Method:

• Wash, chop the leaves and cook with a pinch of salt in a nonstick pan for about 5-6 mins till the leaves wilt thoroughly.
• In another heavy bottom pan, heat some oil, add the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
• Once they splutter, add the ginger, chopped chilly, yoghurt mixed well with besan (gram flour) and simmer for another 5-7 mins, frequently stirring.
• Add the cooked saag/leaves, adjust the seasoning, bring to a boil and turn off the heat.
• Serve with piping hot rice.