Methi Batata Bhaaji

You almost never get Methi in Eindhoven barring the frozens packets that're available sometimes at the Indian stores. We both really like Methi and so I decided to try growing some at home. Just a little over a month ago I planted some methi seeds in a little pot to see if they'd grow. It's still quite cold here so I had to place the pot indoors on the window sill. In a month's time my methi was ready to harvest.

Methi is very easy to grow and usually germinates within a week. It is fast growing and needs little maintenance. You need to water the plants regularly and place the pot in a sunny position. In a months time you have fresh methi leaves ready to be cooked.

Last night I harvested my methi crop and made some Methi Batata Bhaaji. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:


Methi - One bunch
Potatoes - 4
Onions - 2
Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Grated Jaggery - 2 tbsps
Salt - to taste
Oil

Method:


Wash and finely chop the methi leaves. Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces. Finely chop the onions. Saute the onions in a little oil until browned. Add the garlic paste and fry for another 2 minutes. Now, add the potatoes, the methi leaves, red chilli powder, turmeric, grated jaggery and salt ( the methi leaves shrink in size once they're cooked so you need to be careful with the salt). Cover the pan and cook until the potatoes and methi leaves are well cooked. You need to stir the bhaaji from time to time to ensure that it doesn't stick to the bottom or burn.

Note : Since I was growing Methi for the first time in Eindhoven( I've done it a few times in Mumbai) I hadn't planted enough to make a lot of bhaaji. You will notice in the picture that there are more potatoes in proportion to the methi.