Shepu-Batata Bhaji | Indian Side dish with dill leaves & potatoes
This 'Shepu-Batata Bhaji' is a traditional Indian side dish prepared with fresh dill leaves and potatoes. Dill leaves has strong aroma and pungent taste which could overpower if used in excess. So, in order to balance the bright flavours of dill, potato is used in the recipe. Additionally, coarse roasted peanut power is added that gives texture and bite to this dish.
Ingredients
- 40-50 gms fresh dill leaves 2 tightly packed cups
- 1 no red onion
- 3 nos potatoes medium
- 4-6 nos garlic cloves
- 2 nos green chillies
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp roasted peanut powder
- 1 tbsp oil vegetable
- salt as per taste
- water as required
Instructions
- Wash dill leaves under running water to remove any dirt. Keep it aside to strain any extra water.
- Start preparation with other veggies. First; wash and peel potatoes then dice it. Next; finely chop onion and garlic.
- Take a pan or kadhai over high heat and add oil into it.
- Once oil is hot, add mustard seeds into the pan. Once mustard starts to crackle; add cumin seeds into it.
- Let both seeds splutter for few seconds; then tip in chopped onions.
- Turn heat to medium and continue to fry onions. Once onions starts to change colour; tip in garlic followed by sliced green chillies.
- Sauté for few minutes and add turmeric into the pan.
- Mix everything together until rawness goes away.
- Meanwhile, clean and roughly chop dill leaves. I used only delicate part of it and removed it's thick stems.
- Next goes diced potatoes into the pan. Gently stir it together to cover with onion mixture.
- Add 1-2 cups of hot water and cover the pan with lid.
- Season with salt and cook potatoes over medium heat for few minutes.
- Once potatoes are nicely cooked and any excess water evaporates; add chopped dill leaves.
- Turn heat to low and gently mix everything together. Simmer just about 2 minutes.
- Finally, stir in roasted peanut powder. Give a quick stir and turn off the heat.
- Our side dish with dill leaves and potatoes (aka shepu-batata bhaji) is ready to serve.
Notes
- Use of peanut powder is option; but I would highly recommend it. It not just adds a crunch but also balances strong taste of dill leaves.
- Do not overcook dill leaves else it will lose its flavour and aroma.