
Sarson Da Saag aur Makki Di Roti
December 23, 2024
Preparation time
30 minutes
Cooking time
1.5 hours
Serves
5 - 6 people
- Mustard leaves (sarson) 4 big bunches
- Spinach 2 large bunch
- Wild spinach (bathua) 1 large bunch
- Water 1.5 litres
- Salt to taste
- Thecha
- Garlic 15-18 cloves
- Ginger 1 inch
- Green chillies 3-4 nos.
- Maize flour (makke ka aata) 3/4th cup
- Ghee 2 tbsp
- Onions 1 medium size (chopped)
- Garlic 8-10 cloves (roughly chopped)
- Ginger ½ inch (chopped)
Preparing the Leaves:
- Thoroughly wash all the three types of leaves to remove excess dirt.
- Chop them finely for quicker and better cooking. Ensure you wash before chopping, not after.
Cooking the Saag Base:
- Heat a wok or pan on medium heat, add water, and bring it to a boil.
- Add the chopped leaves and salt to taste. Muddle the mixture using a mathani (muddler) while cooking.
- Cook for a long time, and in the meantime, prepare the thecha.
Preparing Thecha:
- Add green chillies, ginger, garlic cloves, and salt to a mortar and pestle. Crush coarsely. Alternatively, use a mixer grinder to achieve a coarse texture.
Incorporating Thecha into Saag:
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of prepared thecha to the saag.
- Cook the saag uncovered for 60–90 minutes to retain its elegant taste.
Cooking Until Creamy:
- Continue cooking until the water dries completely and the saag is properly cooked.
- During this time, prepare makke di roti (cornmeal flatbread).
- After cooking for about 1–1.5 hours, use a muddler to disintegrate the saag. Turn off the flame and add maize flour in batches, mixing thoroughly to achieve a smooth texture. Add hot water if it becomes too thick.
Final Cooking Stage:
- Once the saag is creamy, turn the flame back on and cook for 5–10 minutes.
- At this stage, you can set aside portions for later use, storing them in the fridge or freezer.
Preparing the Tadka:
- Heat another pan on medium heat, add ghee, and sauté chopped onions until translucent.
- Add garlic and ginger, and cook until onions are golden brown.
- Add the required portion of saag, stir, and cook for 2–3 minutes.
Serving:
- Serve the hot sarson ka saag with makke di roti and a dollop of white butter.
- For added elegance, give an additional tadka of ghee and asafoetida (hing) over the saag.
- Mooli (radish) 1/3rd cup (grated) (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Maize flour (makke ka aata) 2 cup
- Ajwain 1 tsp
- Luke warm water as required
- Ghee for cooking roti
Preparing the Mooli Mixture:
- Mix salt and grated mooli (radish) in a bowl. Let it rest for 5 minutes to release moisture.
- Squeeze out the excess moisture and set the mooli aside to be used in the dough.
Making the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine maize flour, salt, squeezed mooli, and ajwain.
- Mix well and gradually add lukewarm water to knead a soft dough.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
Tip: Since maize flour dough can be brittle and difficult to handle, consider adding ½ cup of wheat flour for easier handling.
Rolling the Roti:
- After resting, knead the dough again and divide it into portions. Roll out semi-thick rotis.
- To make the process easier, use foil paper or cling wrap to lift the roti without breaking it.
- Dust with flour while rolling to prevent sticking.
Cooking the Roti:
- Heat a tawa (griddle) and cook the roti on both sides until brown spots appear.
- Apply a little ghee and cook again on both sides until golden.
Serving:
- Serve the makke di roti hot with sarson da saag and a dollop of butter on top.
Step 1. Sarson Da Saag
Ingredients
Method
Enjoy the rich and hearty flavors of this classic dish!
Step 2. Makke Di Roti
Ingredients
Method
Enjoy this classic pairing for a hearty and flavorful meal!