Poi saaga ( leafy greens ) with vegetables

Our needs & aspiration change according to time and situation and I am no exception either, few things that were never a priority suddenly become more coveted and precious. I have a very long list but the one that tops the list is my new Camera at present. I was never interested in taking photographs as much as liking to be photographed. On the contrary my hubby loved to capture everything on celluloid and is always very keen to update to the latest gadgets. He loves to carry his camera wherever possible and recording every tidbits and photographs are always part of his travelogue. Since I never showed any interest in taking picture I was never enthusiastic to shop for new ones or update to the latest offering.

Well when I started blogging, I realized the importance of photography and it was the stepping stone for me touch and utilizes the gizmo's that were always neglected. From the food blogs I saw the magic in photographs and the emotions that they evoke even without tasting a single morsel I could taste the delicacies in their entirety. Seeing my love for the ubiquitous gadget my hubby decided to get me a digital SLR and on our last trip to Hong Kong. I was overjoyed with thought of being gifted an entry level professional camera. He is my inspiration behind the pictures and he always encourages me to “start living with the camera” and I hope someday I would be able to capture better images.

Just meandering close to our place I took pictures of this pagoda and later on my entering I found this to be a beautiful and vast seafood restaurant serving a plethora of seafood delicacies.

I find it difficult now to decide what is more precious, my Nikon D80 or my kitchen with my oven and cookware etc all.

Coming to my recipe of Poi saaga, it is one our delicacy and goes well with shrimps and fish head. The vegetarian version is also very delectable.

Ingredients

3 cups poi saaga (leaves chopped and thick stems discarded)
1 cup chopped potatoes
¾ cup chopped pumpkin
¾ cup chopped eggplants
1 small onion chopped
1 tablespoon garlic minced
1 tablespoon ginger chopped
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon pancha putona
2 to 3 dry red chilies
Salt to taste

Method

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the pancha potona and redchiliies. When they start to crackle, add onions. Sauté till they are translucent and add chopped potatoes and pumpkin. Cover and cook till they are tender on a low fire. Add eggplants and keep stirring on low fire. When the eggplants are tender add the dry masala, salt to taste except garam masala. Add poi saag and keep sautéing it. Cover and occasionally stir it and cook on a low fire they till they are done and stems are tender.

Sprinkle garam masala and serve hot with roti or rice.

Note - An alternative to Poi saag is Swiss chard. The ratio of vegetables used is as per taste.