Easy Kardai Chi Bhaji Recipe: Healthy Safflower Greens Stir Fry
Learn how to make authentic Kardai Chi Bhaji (Safflower Greens) with this easy recipe. A healthy, delicious Maharashtrian dry vegetable dish with Moong Dal.
Ingredients
- Safflower Leaves Kardai: 2 large bunches (cleaned, washed, and roughly chopped).
- Moong Dal Yellow Split Gram: ½ cup (soaked in water for 1 hour).
- Oil: 1-2 tbsp.
- Cumin Seeds Jeera: 1 tsp.
- Garlic: 7-8 cloves finely chopped.
- Onion: 1 medium-sized finely chopped.
- Green Chillies: 3-4 crushed or made into a coarse paste.
- Tomato: 1 small chopped – Optional.
- Salt: To taste.
Instructions
- Prep the Greens: Clean the Kardai leaves thoroughly. Wash them well to remove any dirt and chop them roughly. Keep the tender stems for extra flavour.
- Heat the Oil: Place a pan or kadhai on the stove and heat the oil. Once hot, add the cumin seeds.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped garlic and sauté until it turns slightly golden and aromatic.
- Add Onions: Toss in the chopped onions and fry until they turn translucent.
- Add Spice: Add the crushed green chillies and sauté for a minute to remove the raw smell.
- Add Tomatoes: (Optional) Add the chopped tomato and cook for another minute until slightly soft.
- Cook the Greens: Add the chopped Kardai leaves to the pan. Mix well. The leaves will release water as they cook. Let it cook in its own juices for a few minutes.
- Add Lentils: Once some of the water has evaporated, add the soaked Moong Dal. Mix gently.
- Seasoning: Finally, add salt to taste. (Adding salt at this stage prevents the vegetable from becoming too watery initially).
- Simmer & Serve: Continue to cook on medium heat until all the water evaporates and the dal is soft but holds its shape. Do not cover the pan, as it helps the water dry out faster. Your healthy Kardai Chi Bhaji is ready!