Valor Muthia Nu Shaak
Hands down, valor muthia nu shaak is one of my favorite traditional Gujarati recipes. It is made with primarily muthias and valor (papdi or flat beans).
Muthias are essentially steamed flour dumplings. They may be made with fenugreek, dudhi, cabbage, or even spinach.
In this recipe, I have used frozen muthia (Deep Bhagwati) to show an easy way to make this finger-licking shaak. I will be adding a homemade muthia recipe soon and will link that if you want to make them from scratch.
Serve with Bhakri, Puri, rotli, or any Indian flatbread. It would be great as part of a full Gujarati thali as well!
Ingredients
The two main ingredients are valor (papdi or flat beans) and muthia.
Below are ingredient notes. Full ingredients and directions are in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
Valor – Prep these by washing, cutting off ends and removing the string along the sides. Chop into halves. The beans and the outer shell are used.
Muthia – This time I have used frozen muthia (Deep brand). Usually this is made with fresh or leftover muthia. Using frozen is an easy way to make this delicious shaak. I will have a recipe for homemade muthia up soon.
Tomatoes – I used crushed tomatoes which are available canned in the US. The flavor comes through well and it is convenient. Feel free to substitute with fresh tomatoes.
Spices – Commonly used Indian spices are used.
How to make
In one pan place chopped valor, 2 cups water, and a pinch of salt. Let simmer on medium for about 10 minutes or until they are fork-tender.
Meanwhile, in another pan shallow fry the muthia in 4 tbsp oil (can reduce to 3 tbsp if you prefer).
Once the valor is cooked, add crushed tomatoes and spices to the pan. Place spices in the center of the pan.
Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil to a small tadka pot. Add mustard seeds and let sizzle. Once the popping slows down, add asafetida (hing).
Pour the tadka on top of the spices in the valor pan.
Add in muthia and mix gently. Turn on the gas to medium and let simmer for about 3 minutes. Muthia will soak up the liquid and shaak will slightly thicken.
Turn off the gas and optionally top with cilantro. Serve.
Serving Suggestions
To serve as part of a Gujarati thali, add pickles such as Athela Marcha, Carrot Pickle, or Aam Chundo.
Other shaaks you can serve alongside it include Bhinda Nu Shaak and Peas Cauliflower Shaak.
Find an Indian sweet to complete the meal! Traditional Gujarati sweet includes Sukhdi. An easy dessert is Greek Yogurt Shrikhand.
Storing
This shaak can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Leftovers can also be frozen for later use.
Valor Muthia Nu Shaak
Equipment
- 2 pans non-stick
- 1 small tadka pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups valor 150g, ends cut and then beans cut in half
- 12 oz muthia (frozen) 340g, about 2 cups
- ½ cup crushed tomato
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cumin coriander powder
- ¼ tsp red chili powder
- 1¼ tsp sugar
- cilantro (optional) chopped for garnish
- 5 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- ⅛ tsp asafetida hing
Instructions
- In one pan place chopped valor, 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Let simmer on medium for about 10 minutes or until they are fork tender.
- Meanwhile, in another pan shallow fry the muthia in 4 tbsp oil (can reduce to 3 tbsp if you prefer).
- Once valor are cooked, add in crushed tomatoes and spices to the pan. Place spices in center of pan.
- Add remaining 1 tbsp oil to a small tadka pot. Add mustard seeds and let sizzle. Once popping slows down, add asafetida (hing).
- Pour the tadka on top of the spices in the valor pan.
- Add in muthia and mix gently. Turn on gas on medium and let simmer about 3 minutes. Muthia will soak up the liquid and shaak will slightly thicken.
- Turn off gas and optionally top with cilantro. Serve.
