Trinbago Recipes

Cook Trinbago, one pot at a time

Find a recipe

Bhaji

Spinach, chorai or young dasheen leaves cooked down with garlic, onion and hot pepper. The simple, savoury greens eaten with sada roti.

Breakfast and Bakes

  • 35 min est.
  • Serves 4
  • Easy
Jump to recipe
Trini

Bhaji (also spelled bhagi) is leafy greens cooked down with garlic, onion and pepper until soft and savoury. In Trinidad it is made with chorai (amaranth), spinach, or young dasheen leaves, and eaten with sada roti, especially for breakfast.

A large bunch of greens cooks down to a small bowl, so don’t be put off by the pile in the pot.

Dasheen leaves must be cooked until completely soft. The notes explain why.

The recipe

Bhaji

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
35 min
Serves
4

Times and quantities are our best estimates. This recipe is still being kitchen-tested, so trust your eyes and taste as you go.

Ingredients

Tick items off as you gather them.

Method

  1. Strip the leaves and tender stems from the bunches and discard the tough stems. Wash in several changes of water until no grit settles, then drain and chop roughly.
  2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the garlic, onion and pepper for 2 to 3 minutes until soft.
  3. Add the greens a handful at a time, stirring each batch until it wilts.
  4. Add the tomato and salt. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes for chorai or spinach, stirring now and then, until very soft.
  5. Stir in the coconut milk if using, and cook uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes until most of the liquid has gone. Taste for salt and add black pepper.

Serve it with

  • Sada roti for breakfast
  • Rice, dhal and fried fish

Substitutions

  • Saltfish: add 4 oz (115 g) desalted, flaked saltfish with the onion, and taste before salting.
  • Dasheen leaves: use young leaves, peel the stems, and cook covered for 25 to 30 minutes until completely tender.

Storing and reheating

  • Refrigerate in a covered container and eat within 2 days.

Cook's notes

  • Dasheen leaves contain crystals that make the mouth and throat itch if they are undercooked. Cook them until completely soft, and taste a little before serving.

https://trinbagorecipes.com/recipes/trinidad-bhaji/

You might cook this next

Breakfast and Bakes

Coconut Bake

A round, tender oven bread enriched with fresh grated coconut. Split it warm for breakfast with buljol, cheese or butter.

  • 1 hr 10 min est.
  • Easy

Street Food

Trinidad Doubles

Two soft, turmeric-gold fried breads (bara) folded around curried chickpeas (channa), finished with tamarind sauce and pepper. A much-loved Trinidad street breakfast.

  • 2 hr 45 min est.
  • Involved