Kafuli

Kafuliis a delicacy of Uttarakhand prepared out of leafy greens such as palak (spinach) and methi (fenugreek) leaves. It is also known as Dhapdi in Garhwal.

Cuisine: Uttarakhand/Pahari
Total time: 45 mins
Preparation time: 20 mins
Cooking time: 25 mins
Serves: 3 to 4

Ingredients

For boiling and blending

2 cup Palak (chopped)
1 cups: Methi (chopped)
4 cups: Water
2 Green chillies

For tempering

2 tablespoons: Mustard oil
1 inch: Ginger (grated)
5 cloves Garlic (grated)
1 teaspoon: Jakhiya seeds (if Jakhiya is not available use Jeera or cumin seeds)
1 pinch: Hing or asafoetida
2 Whole red chillies
amti

 

Other ingredients

½ teaspoon: Haldi or turmeric powder
1 teaspoon: Dhania or coriander powder
1 tablespoon: Rice flour or uraddaal paste
4 tablespoons: Beaten Dahi or curd (optional)
½ cup: Water
Salt as per taste

Directions

Preparing the leafy greens

  1. Heat water in a pan and add the chopped palak, methi and green chillies.
  2. Boil the leafy greens till they become pulpy.
  3. Once done, drain the excess water.
  4. Using a blender convert the pulp into a smooth paste.

Tempering

  1. Heat mustard oilin a kadhai (preferably an iron skillet)
  2. Add the grated ginger and garlic and wait for the ingredients to release their aroma. Then addjakhiya(or jeera)seeds,hing and whole red chillies. Stir the mixture.
  3. Add the palak-methi paste, haldi, dhania powderand salt.
  4. Add water and mix the ingredients well, and bring the dish to boil
  5. Mix rice flour with a little water and add it to the mixture.Uraddaal paste can also be used in place of rice flour.
  6. Add the beaten curd (optional)
  7. Set the mixture to cook over a low flame for around 10 minutes.

Traditional ways of cooking enable the ingredients to emit flavoursto maximum effect. Kafuli is best prepared in an iron kadhai over a wooden fire. The dish pairs incredibly with plain steamed rice or ManduekiRoti or Baadi (a halwa-like dish made of Mandua flour)