What is Pui Shaak ?
Pui Shaak is Malabar Spinach. It’s a tropical plant and loves warm summer days. These days I am seeing such lush green Malabar Spinach in the market that I had to make this Pui Shaak. I grew up eating this green stir fry dish a lot! Pui Shaak cooks very fast and cooks down to a small quantity, just like regular spinach. It is great on its own, but pairs beautifully with vegetables and fish too! Especially shrimp.
WATCH THE VIDEO
How to clean and cut Pui Shaak ?
Malabar Spinach/ Pui Shaak will feel little slimy as it has a lot of water contents in it. So be careful handling the knife! Start by snapping off the big leaves to a bowl and trip the top off. Don’t discard the thick stems. Those are edible too. To cut the stems, a pairing knife works best! Discard the extreme bottom part of the stem, as that will look dry. Then cut about 1 inch portion of the stems, and you will realize there is an outer thin skin that comes out. Peel that off. WATCH THE VIDEO to understand this step better. Now take the thick cut stems and slice in half.
Ingredients you need to prepare this Pui Shaak Recipe
Pui Shaak (Malabar Spinach)PotatoEggplantNigella SeedsCumin SeedsBay leavesDry Red ChiliCumin PowderCoriander PowderFennel PowderGheeFresh Green Chili
How to pick Malabar Spinach?
Just look for bright green colors! It shouldn’t wilt, and the leaves should snap easily.
How to prepare the dish?
In a heavy bottom pan, sizzle the whole spices in oil. Then fry the potatoes and eggplant. I keep the sliced eggplant marinated in salt and turmeric, so it softened Add the stems and sauté again for a couple of minutes. Then add the greens and let it softened down. As it cooks, it will release water. Add all the spice powder and cook until the leaves are softened, and turns a bit mushy. Finish it by adding a couple fresh green chili and ghee. The dish tastes best with steamed white rice !
Vegetables that go well with this Malabar Spinach
Pumpkin Sweet Potatoes Potatoes Eggplant Radish Apart from vegetables you can also try shrimp, paneer, tofu, fish head! TRY MORE BENGALI RECIPES I find this any variety of shaak/ saag extremely hearty. With steam white rice, some daal or the side and Indian pickle, it’s a soul satisfactory meal that is so effortless to bring together.
