Sawtooth Herb, Saw Leaf Herb

The long fresh green leaf of the Eryngium foetidum plant, with finely serrated edges (see photograph). Called blandhania in Hindi, it is widely used in Vietnamese cooking to flavor soups. It closely resembles the herb called culantro in Mexico and Puerto Rico and, like it, gives an aromatic and slightly tart edge of flavor. It can be chopped and stirred into hot dal about five minutes before serving, for an extra layer of flavor.