Type Comfort in MS word, select it, right click and see the synonyms: Soothe , console, reassure, calm, relieve ..this Ambadichi Bhaji (Sour greens/Gongura curry) makes every synonym for comfort sound true.
Yes this is one of the recipes I rely on when I am in need of some ‘Comfort food’ (of course provided the greens are available).
Ambadi/sour greens/Gongura leaves
Ambadi leaves are sour -almost vinegary to taste. But this tartness is what makes them so tasty and special. I read here that these greens come in two varieties- Red stemmed and Green stemmed. Here we usually get the green stemmed variety, so I have used that. What makes this a quintessentially Maharashtrian recipe is the use of Jowar Kani (cracked Jowar/Daliya).
The Ambadi leaves are steamed together with the Jowar Kani to make this very special Ambadichi bhaji -which makes me nostalgic and reminds of my mom’s or my granny’s cooking each and everytime I make it.
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 4 portion | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 15 minutes |
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Ambadi greens (Gongura/Sour greens) are widely used in various preparations in many parts of India. What makes this quintessential Maharashtrian recipe so unique, is the use of Jowar ‘Kani’( broken Jowar grains or use Jowar Dalia).The tart leaves are cooked together with the broken Jowar, some Toovar/Arhar Dal, peanuts and then tempered with lots of garlic, to make this comforting Ambadichi bhaji. This bhaji can be served as a light meal on its own or you can serve this with Bhakri or Roti.
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- 8 - 10 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
- 2 tablespoons oil
- xbd tsp seeds cumene
- xbd tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 - 2 tsps Red chilli chillies green chillies powder or 2-3 dried red or green (adjust to your taste)
- Coarsely grind the Jowar grains in the mixer for few seconds. Transfer to a sieve (used to sieve atta or Maida). Remove the powder which falls at the bottom (this flour can be added to the usual jowar flour for making Bhakris, or add this to the usual Roti atta)Use the broken jowar kani which remains in the sieve to make Ambadichi Bhaji. If any unbroken jowar grains are left in the sieve, run them once again in the mixer and repeat the above procedure.
- Wash the broken Jowar, Toovar dal, Peanuts and drain the water.
- Steam the Ambadi greens and broken Jowar, Toovar dal, Peanuts separately in a pressure cooker. (2 whistles). Do not add water to the greens or the broken Jowar.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok. Add the mustard seeds.
- Once they splutter, add the cumin seeds, turmeric and green chillies.
- Add the steamed Ambadi leaves and the broken Jowar, Toovar dal and peanuts. Add salt and mix well.
- In a small pan, add the rest of the oil. Add the sliced garlic and red chillies. Saute for a few seconds till the garlic just starts turning golden colour.
- Pour this over the Ambadi Bhaji. Mix and serve immediately.
I love Ambadi in any form. Got to try this.
Wow, this is different and unfortunately we dont get gongura :(. Nice recipe. thanks for sharing it!
really nice recipe …But whether we get gongura here in US ….Not sure …thks for sharing
Ambadi(gongura) definitely is a comfort food and it is one of my favorite green leafy veggie. Precious even more because it is rarely available here in Indian grocery shops.
Like Lata I love amabadi in any form and I must try this. Great recipe Madhuli.
Comment 4 is written by me Madhuli. I registered a new blog (for DH) at WordPress and accidentally published with that name.
Oops.:)
I have seen numerous Andhra recipes with gonkura. It is nice to see authentic recipies from other states as well. Use of jawar is very new to me. Thanks of rsharing.
wow! I saw these greens in the Indian store last but didn’t buy it since I’ve never cooked with them. A very healthy and tasty recipe!
@ Thank you all of you for your kind comments. Do let me know when you try it.
I miss greens 🙁
Well, We have been successful in growing Ambadi in our backyard here in Melbourne and we followed this recipe, which is actually pretty normal in our childhood days in Nagpur….Infact we had this today with a jowar roti or a “BHAKRI”………………
just incredible with an additional tadka………….Love it
lovely recipe..north karnataka also has similar dish 🙂
Its wonderful dish…. Yummie!!!
Thanks
Bread Gulab-jamun Toast triangular slices of wheat bread along with butter in a toaster. Pour sugar syrup or rabdi on the breads and serve.
sahi
wiil try definately.
hope u like it
First wash ambadi,then dry it well,remove leaves only,fry it in pan with sufficient oil and chilly powder or red chillies,add salt and garlic cloves,and grind coarsely in grinder,and whenever u eat add finely cut onion fried in oil and mix well in chutany