Shak Bhaja: Amaranth Stir Fry
The Shak/Shaag (any leafy green) Bhaja (Stir fried or deep fried) is a big part of the Bengali/East Indian Cuisine. Back home, if I was having a typical Bengali meal, I do not recollect a single day that went without some kind of leafy green, & unlike many kids I would love every preparation of the Shak.
The typical Bengali meal includes the following sequence of food -
The starting course is a bitter; the recipe & the ingredients changes with the season but common ones are bitter gourd, or tender neem leaves (usually fried with eggplants).
This is followed by shaak (leafy vegetables) such as spinach, pui, fenugreek, or amaranth.
Next come the dal/lentil, which is usually accompanied “something” Bhaja (fried – most of the times deep fried); that something could be any vegetable, but the usual ones are potatoes, eggplants or pumpkin Fried fresh water fish is a great candidate too. Another accompaniment with the dal/lentil is a vegetable preparation usually made of multiple vegetables cooked together; this could be either one of - Labra, Chorchori, Ghonto, or Chanchra.
The next course is the fish/shrimp course, which might or might not be followed with a meat course.
Finally comes the chutney course, which is typically tangy and sweet; the chutney is usually made of mangoes, tomatoes, pineapple, tamarind, raw papaya, or just a combination of fruits and dry fruits.
Largely found in India, Phillipines (& other South Asian Coutries), Mexico, Carribean, Africa, Greece & other warmer places, Amaranth is herbaceous plant of the genus Amaranthus.The tender edible leaves and stems, are rich in vitamins A and C, protein, folic acid, calcium and iron, and are often times cooked like spinach. The amaranth leaves are also a very good source of dietary fiber, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese. Amaranth is generally available as a red or green variety, sometimes the leaves have both colors.(More pictures).
I have the Red Amaranth & the Round Leaf Green growing in my backyard.
Green Leaf Amaranth:
Red Leaf Amaranth:
This happens to be my first harvest of the leafs from my back yard & I have used the Green Leaves for this recipe. The red ones are cooked in the same way, but the color is reddish/brownish when cooked.
Sending this to GYO hosted this time at MOMGATEWAY.
Shak Bhaja: Amaranth Stir Fry
Ingredients:
Note: The amount will reduce to about 1/4 of the original fresh green amount.
- 4-5 Cups washed & chopped Amaranth Leaves & soft stems
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 1 Green Hot Pepper, Slit
- 2 Cloves Garlic, chopped
- 1/2 Onion, sliced
- 1 Dry Red Chillies or Red Chilli Flakes
- Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Turmeric
- Roasted Peanuts or Almonds for garnish
Preparation:Heat oil in a heavy bottom vessel.
Add the red dry chillies & the garlic; when the garlic starts to brown add the onions & fry till they look clear. Add the chopped greens, green chilli , turmeric & the salt; sauté for 2-3 minutes till the ingredients mix well.
Cover the pan and turn down the heat to the lowest point & let it be cooked till it is done & the water is absorbed; dry the excess water while stirring & tossing quickly.
Garnish with nuts. Serve with steamed rice.
This is send to the Swiss Chard Challenge hosted at Daily Musings.
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August 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
That’s a nice pic, it looks tasty… I never had amaranth before.
August 4th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
lovely..coincidence..! am now gng to have chard sitry fry(kinda) dish right now..its the typical kerala one,with coconut n all..:)
August 4th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I loved hearing about the multi-course meal, so sumptuous while being homely!
Typically, Maharastrian meals also have a green leafy vegetable as part of the meal (we call it paaley-bhaji), such a good habit but one that my one-dish menu often does not accommodate
August 4th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I would clean up a plate if there was any one of the starters you mentioned! Gosh they sound awesome Soma. And nice rich leaves on the little plant.
August 4th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I would clean up a plate if there was any one of the starters you mentioned! Gosh they sound awesome Soma. And nice rich leaves on the little plant.
August 4th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I love the stir fry mixed with rice and ghee! Looks nice,love the snaps of amaranth leaves too!
August 4th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I also have never had amaranth… you make it look so yummy!
August 4th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Soma, I am preparing a post on Amaranth and I was just about to go and make the recipe! I grew up with amaranth but I had not seen it in the states until last month at a farmer’s market. I got excited when I saw your post on it! We also stir fry it or saute it. Thanks for sharing!
August 4th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Hi! The plant looks really healthy. I like to have this with hot rice.
August 4th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Never try amaranth before…but it look delicious!
August 4th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
i make this quite often too. amaranth is probably the greens i cook with the most!
August 4th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Thanks Soma for the entry. Amaranth are such tasty greens. The plants look healthy and fresh.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I think I’ve had amaranth in the garden before, but I didn’t even know you could eat it….! Looks delicious!
August 5th, 2009 at 5:34 am
I have yet to try Amaranth, the stir-fry sounds delicious!
August 5th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Typical bengali meal sounds sooooo good Soma! i am yet to try my hands on amarnath, dont find it here..looks healthy love the addition of roasted almonds on top!
August 5th, 2009 at 7:43 am
I make this dish with spinach sometimes. But adding nuts in the end is a good idea. Feeding the kids greens + nuts at the same time…hmm…quite a catch!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:01 am
delicious ! I can almost get the fresh flavor of it……lovely !
August 5th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Soma,the same is cheera in kerala..and the garnish makes me wonder…how thats goin to taste..would love to check this next time..what a yummy make..
and thanks for the typical Bengali food desription..Thats vere relevant I believe Soma…nutritious full meal..At a time people were not that keen on propogating healthy food,unknowingly they had the tradition of a complete meal..thats it..wonderful..inspiring.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:32 am
I love greens and this kind of stir fry happens to be S’s and my fav
never garnished it with nuts or almonds …sounds interesting dear 
your garden greens look happy 
I love Bengali Complete meal menu, that was a nice description …got me drooling !!
TC
August 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Shaakh really has a different place in Bong recipes. I just cant count the number of different herbs mom cooks. But this one is really different, shaakh with almonds…. need to try this out.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I had never heard of this leaf. Any idea whats this called in Kannada?
Anyways, the curry looks delicious and loved the almond topping.
This is what I found in Wiki, does not say the name in Kannada tho’ : “In Karnataka state in India it is used to prepare Hulli. Palya, Maggigayhulli and so on. In Tamilnadu State, it is regularly consumed as a favourite dish, where the greens are steamed, and mashed, with light seasoning of salt, red chillis and cumin.”
August 5th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I’ve never heard of amaranth leaves, wonder how they taste like. Wonderful textures and flavours though.
August 5th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Like I saw on facebook page, the green leaf ones look like Indonesian spinach. We cook this in soup rather than stir fry. I do cook wilted spinach (English type) with lemon and sprinkled with toast pinenuts sometimes. Lovely to see a different way to use spinach.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Hi, trying this right now…just making sure, you don’t need to add extra water to this dish? (as per “until the water is absorbed” instruction. Thanks!
No no extra water is needed. it releases a lot of water, + if you cover it the steam will be retained inside.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I never had amaranth before! Looks good.
August 5th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Soma, you have a green thumb indeed! I love greens stir fry and like that almond topping.
August 5th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Saw Ramya’s comment: It is called “Dantina soppu” in Kannada.
August 6th, 2009 at 3:19 am
delicious and healthy!! shud giv a try soon
August 6th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Thanks a lot soma and red chillies for finding out the name in Kannada. I’m glad you tried.
August 6th, 2009 at 9:26 am
This sounds fantastic, and it’s a great use of amaranth! I tried planting some in my garden this year, but it didn’t survive the heat and drought. I’ll try again though.
August 6th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Oh! How Wonderful!
How did you plant it, Did you just get seeds from the nursery? Help! What a great idea!
August 6th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Dear Soma, I havent seen green amaranth leaf here.. I miss it
Love the way you explained about the bengali meal course. I like the almond crunch twist to the stir fry.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
You love almonds, don’t you?
LOLl You got it right girl! There are certain things in the kitchen i cannot do without, almond being one of them!
August 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Amaranth is a great source of many vitamins and match so well in this recipe… authentically flavorful
Cheers!
Gera
August 8th, 2009 at 3:34 am
I don’t think I’ve tried amaranth before or really seen it at the shops but I shall look out for it!
August 9th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Healthy and yummy!I have not had amaranth I think but it looks so good I’ll look out for it.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Soma, I have been marveling at your photos. The shak bhaja sounds great!
January 10th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
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