Malabar spinach & Prawns gravy

Malabar spinach & Prawns gravy, very famous for its taste this spinach is combined with Prawns or clams to make flavourful  gravy which is a part of Konkani cuisine

Typical of leaf vegetables, Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. It is low in calories by volume, but high in protein per calorie. The succulent mucilage is a particularly rich source of soluble fiber. Among many other possibilities, Malabar spinach may be used to thicken soups or stir-fries with garlic and chili peppers.

In Karnataka Cuisine, the leaves and stems are used to make Basale Soppu Saaru/Curry, Goan speciality its combined with prawns or clams In the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, it is used to make bhaji (भजी). It is also known as deto in Konkani.

Malabar spinach/ Basale/ Vali deto:(Image by Wikipedia)

For this gravy needed Ingredients:

Malabar Spinach: 1 bunch

Prawns: 300grms

To grind

Onion: 2

Coconut: 1/2

Red chilies: 6-8

Coriender powder: 2sps

To temper:

Oil: 3 sps

Mustard seeds: 1sp

Garlic crushed: 5-6 flakes

Method to prepare Malabar spinach:

Firstly remove the leaves & wash it

Then the stem parts, there are two types of stems: one is very tender other is bit hard

So seperate the two, then cut the tender stems to small pieces

Peel the harder stems outer skin & cut it finger size sticks

Chop the leaves finely, vegetable is ready to be cooked

In a deep dish add chopped malabar spinach along with stems 

Add chopped Onion & 2 glases water & keep it to cook on medium heat

This will take about 20-30 min to cook

Wash the prawns thoroughly deviening it & keep aside

In a blender add all Ingredients under to grind & make a fine paste

Add this to the cooked Spinach stir then bring to a boil

Lastly add Prawns & cook for 5 min

To temper heat Oil in a dish add mustard seeds

Once it splutters add crushed garlic & fry till golden

Add this tempering to the Gravy & close

Instead of Prawns you can add Clams(Tisre) or fish stock to make it flavourful

Malabar spinach & Prawns gravy is ready to serve with Hot Red boiled Rice enjoy