Malabar Spinach is also referred to Indian Spinach, Ceylon Spinach. It is called as pui shak in Bengali, Vaali bhaaji in Konkani, basale soppu in Kannada and as bachhali in Telugu. Typical of leaf vegetables, it is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. It is low in calories by volume, and high in protein per calorie. (Source: Wiki)
In Bangalore we had these plants growing in our yard. They are a fast-growing, vine reaching up to 10 m in length. They are thick, semi-succulent, and have a mild flavor. They hardly required any maintenance and the more we cut the more they grew. We would gladly provide this to our neighbors and enjoy their variation of curry. They are sticky after they are cut, but then it looses its stickiness after they are cooked.
The coconut curry is a Konkani delicacy and is prepared pretty much the same way by my mom and also MIL.
This is my contribution to the event “Think Spice…. Think Red Chillies” an event hosted by Lakshmi. This event is a brain child of Sunita Bhuyan of Sunita’s World. I have been a bit behind in event participation, however for obvious reasons I did not want to miss this event. 
- Ingredients:
- 3 cups of chopped packed Malabar Spinach (Along with the soft stems)
- ¼ cup Toor Daal
- ½ cup chopped onion
- Curry leaves
- 3-4 garlic pods peeled and crushed
- Little jaggery (optional)
- Oil
- To make the coconut masala
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 2 tsp coriander seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp tamarind paste
- Salt
- 3-4 red chillies ( I use Byadgi Red Chillies)
Method:
- Roast the coriander seeds in little oil. After that roast the Red Chillies and keep aside.
- Pressure cook the Toor Daal along with the chopped Malabar Spinach (Vaali Bhaji).
- Make the coconut masala, by grinding coconut along with red chillies, salt, tamarind, water and coriander seeds. The masala should be made into a very fine paste. Add more water if required.
- In the meanwhile heat up a thick bottomed pan. Add the coconut paste and the cooked greens, toor daal, jaggery (optional) boil until the mixture blends well. Simmer.
- Check for taste and adjust the seasonings if required.
- Make a tadka(seasoning) of oil, curry leaves, chopped onions and crushed garlic.
- Add this to the boiled coconut curry and close the lid. Mix well before serving.
I love basale soppu .. but its kinda not easily available .. never made this kind of gravy with it .. shall give it a try sometime
Vaali Ambat – We just love this….Very tasty & with nice piyavu Phanna, smells heavenly.. More of a comfort food i guess!Perfect for a rainy day meal…
Sounds yummy, RC! Love that bowl too.
Vaali ambat is our fav too.. we do not use curry leaves though.. piyava phanna.. I love to have it with a bowl of steaming rice and vodi pappod
The Ambat looks delicious. They have become my fav greens too. I had them growing last year but forgot to this year
The whole world seems to get pui shaak except me.
We make it with a lot of vegetables … have never had it with dal. Sounds delicious RC!
that looks lovely!! I loved it!
SHowed up on my reader today
great to see this dish with basale soppu! looks great! We used to grow this back home…But we dont get it here now:(
never heard of this though its from malabar. love the bowl
I love bachali dal!I don’t get them here, not as much as I would like!It looks delish
Great dish, lovely bowl…
I love Vaali… esp Vaali bendi than vaali ambat… steamed rice nd this curry tastes gud. nd we dont add jaggery…
You can serve this for me wih rice or roties any time. Delicous.
Hey… I’m still figuring out how Vaali AMbat is different from Vaali and Daali ghalnu Sambaare.
http://chefatwork.blogspot.com/2008/10/vali-dali-sambare.html
Growing up, I couldn’t tell the difference… now I still can’t… is it the onions?
Yikes! Did not know about Vaali sambaare. All I know is Vaali Ambat, let me check out your version
so you fixed the posting problem with blogger, rc
loved the pic. feels like a winter recipe, warm and inviting.
It is still a giant black box to me, I hoping and crossing fingers that the issue is resolved. I will know for sure after my next post
Loved this! would love to have with hot steaming rice and a dollop of ghee..so satisfying isnt it?
Lovely! It sounds so very delicious. Yum!
This looks soooo delicious & another recipe of our Pui shaak:-) I have never cooked this any other way then bengali. I made this greens today with other veggies.. having so much in my yard that i don’t know what to do with it.
Any kind of keerai is a big fav with me – this dish looks especially tasty!
this is truly heavenly and my dad really makes fantastic vaali ambat