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Goan tendli bhaji
तेंडल्याची भाजी: Goan ivy gourd stir-fry with onion, green chilli and fresh coconut
On an everyday Goan plate of rice, fish curry and a vegetable, the vegetable is very often this quick tendli bhaji. Thin rounds of ivy gourd are softened with onion and green chilli in coconut oil, then tossed with fresh grated coconut just before serving, so they stay crunchy-tender and sweet. Hindu homes make it without onion on fasting or puja days. The mistake to avoid is cutting the tendli thickly and covering the pan for too long, which gives grey, soggy rings; thin slices cooked mostly uncovered keep their green colour. Chef's tip: pick firm, bright green tendli and discard any that are red inside, as they are overripe and slimy.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the bhaji
- 14 oz tendli (ivy gourd)topped and sliced into thin rounds
- 1 ½ tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 onionfinely chopped
- 2 green chilliesslit
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 ¾ oz grated fresh coconut
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 1 ½ tbsp coconut oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add ½ tsp black mustard seeds and let it splutter.
1 minStep 2: Add 1 onion and 2 green chillies and fry for 3–4 minutes until the onion is soft and pale gold.
4 minStep 3: Add 14 oz tendli (ivy gourd), ¼ tsp ground turmeric and ¾ tsp salt and toss well. Cook uncovered for 6 minutes, stirring often.
6 minStep 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp water, cover for 2 minutes, then uncover. The rings are done when they bend but still have a slight bite.
3 minStep 5: Stir in ½ tsp sugar and 1 ¾ oz grated fresh coconut, toss for 1 minute and serve hot with rice and curry.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 10 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does goan tendli bhaji take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of black mustard seeds?
- Cumin seeds, same amount (different flavour, same crackle).
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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