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Xaak bhaji
Stir-fried greens
শাক ভাজি: Assamese seasonal greens stir-fried with garlic and dried chilli
Xaak bhaji is the simplest dish on an Assamese table and one of the most loved: whatever greens are in season, mustard leaves in winter, red or green amaranth and dhekia fern in the monsoon, wilted in mustard oil with garlic and a dried chilli. It is eaten at the start of the meal with rice in homes from Sivasagar to Guwahati. People often add water and stew the greens; they should cook in their own moisture over brisk heat so they stay bright. Chef's tip: mix two or three greens together, as Assamese cooks do, for a fuller flavour.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the bhaji
- 14 oz mixed greens (mustard, amaranth or fern)washed and chopped
- 1 ½ tbsp mustard oil
- 6 garlic clovessliced
- ½ tsp salt
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Shake 14 oz mixed greens (mustard, amaranth or fern) dry after washing.
2 minStep 2: Heat 1 ½ tbsp mustard oil in a wide pan until it smokes lightly, lower the heat and fry 6 garlic cloves and 1 dried red chilli until the garlic is light gold.
2 minStep 3: Turn the heat up, add the greens and ½ tsp salt and toss constantly for 4–6 minutes until just wilted and glossy, with little liquid left. Serve straight away.
6 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 5 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does xaak bhaji take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of garlic cloves?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of dried red chilli?
- ½ tsp chilli flakes per chilli.
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