Methi bhaji, called fenugreek leaves stir fry in English, is a simple and healthy dry sabzi made with fresh methi leaves. A little jaggery balances the natural bitterness of the leaves, so even kids enjoy it. Serve it with chapati or as a side with dal and rice.
I had been adding methi/fenugreek leaves to dough while making chapatis. I also love making methi parathas and they taste yummy. But today’s dish is a simple stir fry made with methi or fenugreek greens. As you all know fenugreek leaves are rich in iron and nutrients. They are very good for health. Lactating mothers should eat fenugreek leaves as it promotes milk flow.
What is methi bhaji in English?
Methi Fry also known as Methi Bhaji is a nutritious dish made with fenugreek leaves or methi leaves. The recipe is simple to follow.
How to make methi bhaji
Making this methi bhaji or fenugreek leaves stir fry is easy. But you should be patient in separating the leaves from the stems. This is a tedious task. But only if you separate leaves from stem and then chop, the stir fry will taste good. After separating leaves, just use a food processor or chopper to chop the leaves in one go. If you cut the stem with the leaves, then the methi fry recipe will be a bit hard to bite (this is important specially if you make it for kids).
How to reduce the bitterness of methi leaves
I have added jaggery to this stir fry as fenugreek leaves have a bitter taste. But after cooking they taste good. You can alter the jaggery content as per your taste. My kid does not like bitter taste, so I added 1 tablespoon jaggery. Serve this methi bhaji with rice, drumstick dal, kelyacho fodi, pumpkin bharta and pickle.
You can also try recipes like moringa leaves subzi and red leafy amaranth bhaji.
FAQ
What is methi bhaji called in English?
Fenugreek leaves stir fry. Methi means fenugreek and bhaji is a dry vegetable dish in Marathi and Konkani.
How do I remove the bitterness from methi leaves?
Use only the leaves (not the stems) and add a little jaggery while cooking. Adjust the jaggery to taste.
Why separate the methi leaves from the stems?
The stems are tough and bitter; the stir fry tastes much better with leaves only.
What to serve with methi bhaji?
Chapati, bhakri, or dal and rice.
Methi Bhaji | Fenugreek Leaves Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 3 bunches methi / fenugreek leaves
- 1 medium sized onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon coconut freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon jaggery
- 4 Garlic Pods finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoon oil
- To taste Salt
Instructions
- Wash the fenugreek leaves. Separate the leaves from the stems.
- Finely chop the leaves.
- Heat a kadai or wok. Add oil. After oil gets heated, add onion and saute till onion turns pinkish. Add chopped garlic and saute till raw smell goes away.
- Add finely chopped fenugreek/methi leaves and saute on low flame.
- Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fenugreek leaves will release little water and will get cooked on its own if covered and cooked. However, you can add 1/4th cup water and cook the fenugreek leaves in it if you wish.
- Add turmeric powder, red chili and jaggery powder and mix.
- After the leaves are cooked, add grated coconut and mix well.
- Add salt to taste and mix.
Video
Notes
- It is important to separate the leaves from stem before chopping the fenugreek leaves.
- You can use a chopper to finely chop the leaves after separating from stem.
- I prefer to cover and cook the fenugreek leaves instead of cooking by adding water. Just that you have to frequently monitor that fenugreek leaves don't burn.
- Red chili powder can be replaced by 1 green chili.
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