Shāk

Shāk, also known as sabji/sabzi in Hindi, is a Gujarāti term for an everyday stir-fried vegetable dish served alongside any combination of dāl (lentils), bhāt (rice), and rotli (bread). The recipes here are primarily drawn from the Gujarāti and North Indian preparations I’ve grown up with. Flāvar Vatānā Nu Shāk and Tindorā are ones I fondly remember enjoying with my bā and other family members both at home and in India. I’ve also included a South Indian dish, called poriyal in Tamil, that I’ve come to enjoy in recent years. It incorporates curry leaves, coconut, and urad dāl—lovely, nutty flavors not usually found in North Indian vegetable dishes. All the dishes in this chapter truly celebrate the vegetables used. Various spices enhance their natural flavors, while also adding antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to an already extremely healthful and fiber-rich food.