Malabar Spinach Recipe

Malabar Spinach Curry | Basale Soppu | Pui Shak | Vali Randayi | Bachali Kura | Mayalu – Malabar Spinach or Basella Alba is a leafy vegetable, which has many names in India. It is called as Basale Soppu in Karnataka. We call it as Vali Bhajji. Here, we have prepared a coconut based curry of Vali Bhajji. It is a Konkani recipe and a must try recipe. In Konkani recipes, you will mostly find coconut curries. 🙂 My mom gave me a “Is it a curry ?” look, when my Tamilian hubby cooked a non coconut curry for her. So coconut curries are that famous in my house. 🙂 Vali bhaji curry, that we have prepared here is non spicy. So definitely child friendly recipe.

There are many variations to Malabar Spinach in different regions. Just like Palak or Spinach, Malabar Spinach too has a good nutrient value. Check below for Nutrient gyan 🙂

A very important thing to note here is, the stem of pui shak or Vali Bhajji is thick. The stems are very much a part of this curry. Please do not throw it away if you are using this leafy vegetable for first time. The stems are soft and eatable too.

What does Malabar Spinach curry go well with

We prefer Vali Bhajji curry with Rice or Chapathi. If you love it with anything else, dont forget it to comment below, we would love to hear from you.

Variations to Basale Soppu Curry

We love it this way, moreover you can include Malabar Spinach in Sambar, you can prepare a side dish out of it. We also prepare a different variations of Vali Bhajji with dry prawns. It is Yum too. We will post it soon. Basale soppu curry here is not that spicy, you can add chilly as per your taste. If you wish to use Palak instead or Basale soppu, you can, but the taste varies.

If you are looking for more Vegetarian Menu, please check our Vegetarian Recipes

Nutrition Facts

Home cooked food is filled with Nutrition. If you are keen on knowing the nutrition that goes in your body with every food you consume, we have picked some facts for you. Source is Google.

Basella alba is also known as Vine Spinach. Vine Spinach is high in Vit A, C, Iron and Calcium. It is also used in treating Constipation. The leaves and stems are used in treating many ailments. It is one of our Local foods. So consuming local foods are healthy and beneficial in many ways and recommended by many nutritionists across the world.

Vali Bhajji Curry Recipe in a page

Print Recipe

Malabar Spinach Curry | Vali Bhajji Curry

Spices and coconut is roasted separately and a masala paste is prepared. Malabar Spinach is cooked with soaked moong dal separately and then combined with masala. This bring in a yummy flavor to Malabar Spinach curry.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian, Konkan

Servings: 4

Author: Pearl Jude F

Ingredients

For Curry

• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 1 medium Tomato finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 4 tbsp Oil
• Salt as per taste

To Boil

• 1/4 cup Moong Dal Soaked
• 1 bunch Malabar Spinach chopped
• 4 cups water for boiling
• Salt as per taste

For curry masala

• 1 big onion sliced
• 2 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 cup Coconut
• 5-6 cloves garlic
• 4-5 Dried red chillies mine were non spicy
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 2 tbsp Oil
• 1/2 Star Anise Optional - this gives a little strong flavor. Avoid it if you dont want strong flavor

Instructions

How to prepare Malabar Spinach coconut curry

• Soak Moong Dal for about 15-20 mins. Heat a pan and Add Soaked moong Dal
• Boil moong dal till it is 3/4th cooked
• Add chopped Malabar Spinach/Vali Bhaji. Boil until it is properly cooked and keep it aside.

For Curry masala preparation

• Meanwhile to make Masala, take a pan and roast coriander seeds until fragrant and keep it aside.
• Now add oil in the pan
• Add Coconut and fry till it is slightly brown and keep aside
• In the same pan add Onions , fry till it is golden brown and keep aside
• Add red chillies and roast it for few secs and keep aside
• Cool all the above ingredients and take them in a blender. In addition to it, Add Turmeric powder, cumin seeds, star anise and garlic cloves.
• Add some water to the blender and make a fine paste
  

For Malabar spinach curry preparation

• To make Vali Bhaji curry, Heat a kadai and add oil
• Add garlic cloves and fry till it is slightly brown
• Add chopped onions and fry until golden brown
• Add chopped tomatoes and fry until soft
• Now add the grinded masala mixture
• Cook the masala until it starts boiling. Cook for atleast for 3 mins
• Now add boiled malabar spinach and moong dal along with its water
• Add salt if required
• Cook for 5-6 mins and Turn off the flame. Vali Bhaji Curry is ready to serve

Notes

Add the Malabar spinach with its Stem in the recipe

Malabar Spinach curry on Video

Step by step Directions for Vali Bhaji