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Homecoming

After three weeks of world cuisine, all I've wanted to eat in the past week is Indian comfort food. Like this Sai Bhaji, the Sindhi combination of lentils and spinach.



Start by cleaning a bunch of spinach. Wash spinach, remove any tough stalks and chop the leafs into small bits. Heat a tsp of ghee in a pressure cooker. Drop in 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add one finely chopped onion and stir fry until it is lightly browned. Add one finely chopped tomato and cook for a couple of minutes. Add add 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder and salt to taste (1/2 tsp does it for me).

Drop the palak into the spices and stir for a few second till it wilts. Add 1/3 cup masur dal and 2 cups water. Close your pressure cooker and cook for 3 whistles. Add some garam masala and serve on top of plain rice.

Sai Bhaji traditionally uses chana dal (split peas), but they take longer to cook so if you want to make that version start by soaking chana dal for half an hour. The rest of the recipe remains the same but you will need more cooking time.
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Comments

Priyanka said…
i would love to try out sai bhaji....looks delicious
October 12, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Suganya said…
This sounds to be so comforting. Looks so good. YUM!!
October 12, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Bharti said…
A perfect homecoming after a wonderful trip right?
October 12, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Sunshinemom said…
The best food is always simple - isn't it! Sai bhaji looks delish:)
October 13, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Rachel said…
Comfort food at its best!
October 14, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Usha said…
The perfect comfort food :-)
October 18, 2008 at 1:20 AM
Praneetha said…
We make similar preparation in Andhra with toor dal with all green leafy veggies , tomato etc..
Good to know u and thk u for ur comments on my blog. I will add you in my blogroll.
October 25, 2008 at 1:53 AM
Anonymous said…
Thts a different way of making saibhaji...atleast different from what i have seen around..typical sindhi saibhaji calls for VAKHAR i.e mixture of veggies like potato,brinjal,arbi,bhindi etc.....nevertheless this is one variation i wud love to try coz i have never tasted spinach with massor dal(masoor dal is my ultimate fav.dal)
Whatever the recipe may be,it is indeed a comfort food !
November 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM
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