Greens for Breakfast? Bihari Style Greens

Another great recipe from the blog of that intrepid philosopher, Mr. Brown.  This is fantastic with hot chapatis or nan bread for breakfast where it is eaten cold and with a little achar, or Indian pickle.  Outside of breakfast (this is a traditional breakfast dish) this is good warm anytime as a side dish with just about anything!

Bihari-Style Greens Recipe

• 1 1/2 pounds of fresh spinach (or you can make this with mustard greens)
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground ginger (at least--I'm more generous)
• 1 Red or Green Chili (at least--I'm more generous)
• 1-2 Cloves Garlic (at least--I'm more generous)
• Either 1 generous teaspoon of ground mustard, 1/2 pound of mustard greens, or 2-3 tablespoons of mustard oil
• 1 tablespoon of corn meal

First, wilt all the greens in hot water--maybe 2-3 minutes in boiling water, strain and immediately rinse with cold water (this helps preserve the color).  Remove, squeeze our any remaining water that you can.  Next, put these in your food processor (or blender or mortar and pestle) with the chili, ginger and garlic and coarsely blend, then set aside.

If you are using ground mustard instead of mustard greens or mustard oil, take some of the hot water from your spinach and mix with your mustard powder--enough to make a thin paste.

Next, heat at least 2 tablespoons of oil in your pan, and when hot, add your cornmeal and stir.  Don't get the oil so hot as to cause your cornmeal to blacken--if it gets to brown, pour it out and try again.  Stir continuously for ONE MINUTE.

Turn down the heat medium low.  Then, immediately add your greens--be careful, the oil will start popping--and then your mustard paste if using ground mustard.  Stir thoroughly.  Cook for 3-5 minutes, just long enough to cook through the other blended ingredients.  That's it.  You can eat hot or cold--it is great either way!