Sukhi Bhaji/Farali Bateta Nu Shaak

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.

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

1. Boil the potatoes. Peel and let them cool down.
2. When the potatoes are cold, cut them into big chunks.
3. In a tiny bowl mix cashew nut pieces and raisins.
4. In another tiny bowl mix coriander, chillis and curry leaves.
5. In a third bowl mix sesame seeds, cumin seeds and pepper.
6. Heat oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
7. When it is hot add the sesame seed mixture. Stir fry for a few seconds.
8. Add the cashew nut and raisin mixture. Stir fry till the raisins begin to plump up.
9. Add the coriander mixture, stir fry for 30 seconds.
10. Add the potato cubes, salt and sugar.
11. Mix gently. Lower the heat and let the potatoes get hot. Stir gently occasionally.
12. 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.

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