Sukhi Bhaji/Farali Bateta Nu Shaak

updated on 02/01/2019
What is Sukhi Bhaji?
Sukhi Bhaji or Farali Bateta nu Shaak is a simple vegetable side dish made from potatoes, spices, nuts and sometimes raisins are added. Bhaji is a Marathi word and Shaak a Gujarati word for any vegetable side dish prepared to serve with rotis, parathas or rice. Sukhi means dry. Here potatoes are stir fried and cooked till done. Sukhi bhaji is not only popular during fasting days like Ekadashi or Navratri but can be served any time for lunch or dinner.
What is Farali?
Farali, farari means any food that is served during fasting days. According to the Hindu custom fasting can be without any food or omitting certain groups of food. It all depends on individuals. For Ekadashi fasting which I follow regularly, grains, pulse, lentils, onion, garlic, many vegetables, meat and certain spices are not allowed.Dairy products, Vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, yam, tapioca, bottle gourd, tomato, cucumber are allowed. Both seeds of barnyard grass and tapioca pearls are popular during fasting days.
A bit about Potatoes
Potatoes are very healthy. They are rich in carbohydrates, have a high content of dietary fiber and many vitamins, minerals and anti oxidants. Since they are full of carbohydrates, potatoes give you the feeling of fullness for a long period of time. What makes them unhealthy is when we fry them or load them with butter, mayonnaise, tonnes of oil etc. Potato is a versatile tuber which can be used to make so many dishes like a creamy and satisfying corn potato cheddar soup, a coriander/cilantro flavored salad like pesto roasted potato salad. How about a tangy creamy potato curry with some naan. Or do try some chili and cheddar potato rolls. If you fancy an Indian flatbread then try my all time favourite Aloo Paratha or Bateta ni Rotli.
How to serve Sukhi Bhaji or Farali Bateta nu Shaak?
When prepared for fasting days, its normally enjoyed on its own with some plain yogurt or with moriyo khichdi (sama chawal ki khichdi) or with farali rotis which are made from a mixture of fasting friendly amaranth, barnyard millet, water chestnut, sago or tapioca pearl flours.
It is also served when we make full thali (platter) lunch or dinner when guests are invited. If made for this purpose you can add a bit of turmeric powder which you cannot use on fasting days.
Dietary Tips:
- Gluten free
- Vegan friendly
- Satvic
- Ideal for fasting days
Who is drooling? Go on try out this delicious side dish.
SUKHI BHAJI/FARALI BATETA NU SHAAK
Serves 4
3 big potatoes
½ cup roughly chopped cashew nuts
¼ cup raisins
3 tbsps oil
1 tsp coarse pepper powder
1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1 tbsp sesame seeds (tal)
½ cup chopped fresh coriander
10 to 12 curry leaves (kari patta, limbdi)
2 green chillis chopped into rings
1 tsp sugar
1 to 1¼ tsp salt (use rock salt or sendha namak for fasting days)
1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- Boil the potatoes. Peel and let them cool down.
- When the potatoes are cold, cut them into big chunks.
- In a tiny bowl mix cashew nut pieces and raisins.
- In another tiny bowl mix coriander, chillis and curry leaves.
- In a third bowl mix sesame seeds, cumin seeds and pepper.
- Heat oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
- When it is hot add the sesame seed mixture. Stir fry for a few seconds.
- Add the cashew nut and raisin mixture. Stir fry till the raisins begin to plump up.
- Add the coriander mixture, stir fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the potato cubes, salt and sugar.
- Mix gently. Lower the heat and let the potatoes get hot. Stir gently occasionally.
- Add lemon juice and mix and serve.
Tips:
- Add coarse peanut powder instead of cashew nuts.
- Make sure the potatoes are cold before you cut them. If you try and cut hot potatoes, they tend to crumble.
- Can use baby potatoes instead of normal potatoes.
- Add crushed chillis if you are serving this dish to children.
- If there are spices or herbs that you’re not allowed during fasting then please omit them.
Pin for later:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
36 Comments
Beena.stephy
September 12, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Healthy and yummy
Mina Joshi (@GiveMeSomeSpice)
November 7, 2019 at 7:39 pm
You are making me hungry. We love farari shak anytime. Sometimes we make it for a quick snack instead of jacket potatoes as the shak has more flavour and when we are not fasting, we tend to sprinkle chevdo and cheese on it.
mayurisjikoni
November 7, 2019 at 7:40 pm
Mina that’s a good idea to sprinkle cheese and chevdo. I too make it as a light lunch.
Sandhya
November 7, 2019 at 10:47 pm
I love this sukhi Bhaji. I do add peanut meal as you mentioned. I like the addition of pepper powder which I have not done before. I enjoy the variations in recipes. Thanks for sharing.
mayurisjikoni
November 8, 2019 at 6:03 pm
Thank you so much Sandhya, I find that potato and pepper pair so well.
FoodTrails
November 8, 2019 at 2:52 am
Fasting or no fasting I love these potatoes but make it without nuts.. I loved the idea of adding nuts to it… so filling and delicious!!
mayurisjikoni
November 8, 2019 at 6:02 pm
Thanks Swaty, try with nuts, its delicious. Can also add peanuts.
FoodTrails
November 9, 2019 at 12:20 am
will surely try..
Vanitha Bhat
November 8, 2019 at 6:16 am
You got me at cashews and raisins!! I just cannot resist a simple traditional dish and this one sounds and looks amazingly delicious!! Fast or no fast, I can have this any time!
mayurisjikoni
November 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Thank you so much Vanitha. Fasting or no fasting this is definitely a dish one can have on its own.
Lata Lala
November 8, 2019 at 6:34 am
The pics of farali batata nu Shak are droolsome. I make potato sabzi without dry nuts and i loved your version so next time I am gonna try your way.
Lovely farari share
mayurisjikoni
November 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Thank you so much Lata.
Archana
November 8, 2019 at 10:47 am
I love the simplicity of this potato bhaji. I can eat it on a regular day not just fasting days.
mayurisjikoni
November 8, 2019 at 5:59 pm
That’s true Archana, this bhaji can be enjoyed on its own too.
shobhakeshwani
November 8, 2019 at 11:11 pm
I love potato sabzi cooked in any way.. Just wondering if the addition of raisins will make it sweeter in taste.
mayurisjikoni
November 11, 2019 at 4:03 pm
Not that much Shobha, as it gets balanced by the lemon juice. And anyway you’re not adding too much.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
November 9, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Winner dish any day< Mayuri. With the raisin and cashews it does make it all so much more good
mayurisjikoni
November 11, 2019 at 3:58 pm
Thank you so much Seema.
simplysensationalfood
November 9, 2019 at 10:59 pm
I love this farari shak it is so simple yet delicious. I can eat it anytime even when I am not fasting.
mayurisjikoni
November 11, 2019 at 3:55 pm
Thats true Nayna, one can enjoy it on its own any time.
Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille)
November 11, 2019 at 4:43 am
potatoes are such a versatile ingredient that can be served so much variety of ways. I will definitely have to try this soon!
mayurisjikoni
November 11, 2019 at 3:52 pm
Thanks Mireille, hope you enjoy it.
Pavani
November 12, 2019 at 2:31 am
That is such an interesting way to make dry potato shaak. Never added raisins or cashews to potato curry – will have to your version some time. Looks delicious to eat as is or with roti.
mayurisjikoni
November 12, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Thank you Pavani, its actually quite a famous Gujarati sabji, usually prepared in this way for kids during a lunch or dinner party.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
November 12, 2019 at 2:56 am
Just give me a bowl of this and I am a happy camper. I love the simple spices and it just makes me so warm. I don’t add sesame seeds and I love the flavor of sesame. I need to add that next time I make.
mayurisjikoni
November 12, 2019 at 4:28 pm
Thanks Sandhya, I love using sesame seeds for that extra nutty taste. Some people don’t use it for fasting.
Padma Veeranki / Masalakorb
November 13, 2019 at 10:38 pm
This is like simplicity at its best!! I love dry sabzis with simple spices…I never add sesame seeds, should try it next time. Super delicious to eat as a snack or with roti.
mayurisjikoni
November 14, 2019 at 10:52 am
Thank you so much Padma. I add sesame seeds as its good for health and also adds nuttiness to the bhaji.
Anshu
November 14, 2019 at 1:41 pm
These potatoes are looking so so good Mayuri. Drooling over your pics. Liked the way you have given a special touch to such beautiful recipe by adding the nuts. Wonderful share!
mayurisjikoni
November 15, 2019 at 6:18 pm
Thank you so much Anshu.
jayashreetrao
November 15, 2019 at 10:48 am
This is such a simple dish yet so flavoursome. We love potatoes in any form, this dish looks so good.
mayurisjikoni
November 15, 2019 at 6:14 pm
Thanks Jayashree, its so delicious on its own or with yogurt too.
Jagruti’s Cooking Odyssey
November 18, 2019 at 7:09 pm
Gosh, literally I started drooling as soon as I read Suki Bhaji. Not only mine but my whole family love this potato sabji. We love it with poori or methi na thepla and yogurt. Might make this weekend!
mayurisjikoni
November 20, 2019 at 4:53 pm
Thank you so much Jagruti. I will make it with theplas next time. Usually make rasa varu bateta nu shaak.
Sasmita Sahoo Samanta
November 23, 2019 at 4:18 pm
This is an interesting guju dish. The dry potato shaak looks so perfect to have with hot phulka for me. The raisins, cashews here is a nice addition….
mayurisjikoni
November 25, 2019 at 3:18 pm
Thank you so much Sasmita, its also a perfect meal for fasting days. Enjoy it with some yogurt.