Leftover Lunch and Hearty Bhaji for Dinner

All through my years in graduate school, I would make simple, yet full-flavoured one-pot dishes. Today, I made a version of a "Bhaji". This is a generic name for an Indian dish with vegetables and light to no sauce. It is usually picked up with a flat bread like chappati or roti. I used some inexpensive corn tortillas I purchased in bulk from Save-a-Lot. I used cauliflower, potatoes, kale, and tomatoes.

Cauliflower, Potato, Kale, and Tomato Bhaji

Here is a simple recipe for the Bhaji I made.

RECIPE: Bhaji

Servings: 4-6

INGREDIENTS

3 Russet potatoes,washed, skin on, medium diced
1 Spanish onion, peeled, sliced thinly
1 cauliflower (ours was on discount at Save-a-Lot), washed, cut into florets
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1 tbsp, fresh garlic, minced
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
4 Serrano peppers, minced, with seeds (modify amount depending on preference)
2 celery sticks, diced
2 cups, chopped, kale
1 tbsp whole cumin seeds
1 tsp whole coriander seeds
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp ground turmeric
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 cinnamon stick
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tsp cayenne pepper
kosher salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup extra-virgin or vegetable oil
juice of 2 lemons

PROCEDURE
Season this dish in stages, rather than all at once. In a wide pan, on medium heat, saute the whole cumin, whole coriander, bay leaf, and cinnamon for a minute. Add the onions, ginger, celery, and garlic and saute for 5 minutes, stirring periodically. Add the potatoes and cauliflower. Saute for 10 minutes, stirring periodically until the cauliflower browns a bit. Add the turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, and ground cinnamon. Stir well. Finally, add the tomatoes and stir well. Cover the pan and "stew/steam" for 5 minutes or so. Remove and stir well. Check the seasoning, adding more as needed. Finally add 1 cup of water and scrape off the "fond" on the bottom of the pan. Cover again until the potatoes and cauliflower are cooked. Remove the lid and allow the water (if any) to mostly evaporate. Check the seasoning and add stir in the lemon juice. If preferred, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve with plain yogurt and warm corn tortillas.

-Hari