Bathua Receipe:
Bathua receipe Delicious & Nutritious Dishes
Bathua receipe also known as Chenopodium album or White Goosefoot, is a winter superfood rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Commonly used in North Indian cuisine, it is a green leafy vegetable that enhances the flavor of dishes while offering numerous health benefits.
From traditional bathua saag to bathua paratha, this nutritious green is a staple in many households. In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about bathua, including its English name, health benefits, and the best ways to consume it.
What is Bathua Called in English? (Bathua receipe)
Bathua is known by different names worldwide:
- English Name: White Goosefoot, Lamb’s Quarters, Pigweed
- Scientific Name: Chenopodium album
- Hindi Name: Bathua (बथुआ)
- Punjabi Name: Bathu
- Bengali Name: Bathua Saag
- Tamil Name: Paruppu Keerai
- Telugu Name: Pappu Kura
Although commonly grown as a weed, bathua is cultivated for its nutritional value and widely used in traditional recipes, especially during winter.
Health Benefits of Bathua (Bathua receipe)
Bathua is a powerhouse of nutrition. It is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that contribute to overall health.
1. Rich in Essential Nutrients (Bathua receipe)
- High in Vitamin A, C, and B6 – Supports immune function and skin health.
- Iron & Folate – Boosts hemoglobin levels and is beneficial for pregnant women.
- Calcium & Magnesium – Strengthens bones and teeth.
2. Aids Digestion & Gut Health (Bathua receipe)
- The high fiber content in bathua promotes digestion and prevents constipation.
- Acts as a natural detoxifier, cleansing the digestive system.
3. Supports Weight Loss(Bathua receipe)
- Low in calories and rich in fiber, bathua keeps you full for longer.
- Its metabolism-boosting properties help in managing weight effectively.
4. Good for Skin & Hair (Bathua receipe)
- The antioxidants in bathua help fight free radicals, preventing premature aging.
- Applying bathua paste can help treat skin issues like acne and rashes.
5. Controls Blood Sugar & Cholesterol (Bathua receipe)
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it great for diabetics.
- Contains compounds that aid in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL).
6. Improves Vision & Eye Health (Bathua receipe)
- Vitamin A & Beta Carotene in bathua enhance eyesight and prevent night blindness.
Best Ways to Eat Bathua receipe
There are several delicious ways to incorporate bathua into your meals:
1. Bathua Paratha (Bathua receipe)
- Mix boiled & mashed bathua leaves into wheat flour.
- Add spices, knead the dough, and make crispy parathas.
- Serve with curd or pickle.
2. Bathua Saag (Bathua receipe)
- Cook bathua with mustard leaves, spinach, and spices.
- Best served with makki ki roti and white butter.
3. Bathua Raita (Bathua receipe)
- Blend boiled bathua leaves with yogurt and spices for a refreshing side dish.
4. Bathua Dal (Bathua receipe)
- Add chopped bathua to lentils like moong or masoor dal for a healthy and flavorful twist.
5. Bathua Soup
- A warm and comforting winter soup made with blended bathua, garlic, and black pepper.
6. Bathua Pakoras
- Make crispy pakoras using bathua leaves, gram flour, and spices.
Bathua Aloo Ki Sabji (Potato Bathua Saag)
A delicious, hearty, and nutritious side dish that pairs well with roti, paratha, or rice.
Ingredients:
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups bathua leaves (washed and chopped)
- 2 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 2 tablespoons mustard oil (or any cooking oil)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 green chili (finely chopped, optional)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder (dhania powder)
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup water
Optional Ingredients: (Bathua receipe)
- ½ teaspoon garam masala (for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (for a tangy taste)
How to Make It?
Cleaning and Prepping Bathua Leaves
- Wash Thoroughly – Rinse bathua 2-3 times in fresh water.
- Remove Tough Stems – Trim any thick stems for even cooking.
- Chop Finely – Helps in quicker cooking and blending.
Cooking Process
- Heat Oil in a Pan – Use mustard oil for an authentic taste.
- Add Cumin Seeds – Let them crackle for aroma.
- Sauté Onions, Garlic & Green Chili – Cook until onions turn golden.
- Add Diced Potatoes – Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
- Spice It Up – Add turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
- Add Chopped Bathua Leaves – Stir well and cover the pan.
- Simmer and Cook – Add ½ cup water, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Finish with Garam Masala & Lemon Juice – Stir well and turn off the heat.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve hot with roti, paratha, or steamed rice.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
- Pair with a bowl of curd or bathua raita for a complete meal.
Expert Tips
✔ Use Fresh Bathua – Tender, green leaves give the best taste.
✔ Boiling Option – Boil bathua before adding to sabji for a softer texture.
✔ Adjust Spice Levels – Customize chili levels as per preference.
✔ Avoid Overcooking – Cook on low-medium heat to preserve nutrients.
Storage Suggestions (Bathua receipe)
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat on low flame with a splash of water.
- Freezing: Avoid freezing as bathua leaves lose texture and taste.
Bathua Wali Dal (UP Style)
This Uttar Pradesh-style Bathua Dal is a comforting and protein-rich dish made by combining lentils with bathua, flavored with garlic tempering.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup yellow moong dal
- ½ cup toor dal (pigeon pea lentils)
- 1 cup bathua leaves (chopped)
- 3-4 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 medium tomato (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ghee
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
How to Make It?
- Cook the Lentils: Boil moong and toor dal with turmeric and salt until soft.
- Prepare Tadka: Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, garlic, and onions. Sauté until golden.
- Add Tomatoes & Spices: Cook until tomatoes soften, then mix in the bathua leaves.
- Combine with Dal: Pour the cooked dal into the pan and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve Hot: Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with rice or roti.
Serving Suggestion:
Tastes best with steamed basmati rice and a side of pickle & papad.
Bathua Dal Saag
A unique combination of bathua and mixed lentils, this dish is nutritious, flavorful, and easy to digest.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup chana dal (Bengal gram)
- ½ cup masoor dal (red lentils)
- 2 cups bathua leaves (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 medium tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ghee or butter
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
How to Make It?
- Pressure Cook Lentils: Cook chana dal and masoor dal with turmeric and salt until soft.
- Prepare the Bathua Mix: Heat ghee, add mustard seeds, garlic paste, onions, and cook until golden.
- Add Tomatoes & Spices: Mix in tomatoes and cook until soft, then add bathua leaves.
- Combine Everything: Stir in the cooked dal and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Finish with Ghee: Drizzle with ghee or butter before serving.
Best Served With:
Jeera rice or rotis for a wholesome meal.
Sarson, Palak, and Bathua Saag
This powerhouse of greens combines sarson (mustard leaves), palak (spinach), and bathua for a flavorful and highly nutritious saag that’s a winter staple in Punjab.
Why You’ll Love This Saag?
✔ Packed with iron, calcium, and vitamins
✔ Naturally creamy and rich in flavor
✔ Authentic Punjabi-style saag
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sarson (mustard leaves)
- 1 cup palak (spinach)
- 1 cup bathua (white goosefoot)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 tomato (chopped)
- 3-4 garlic cloves (chopped)
- 1-inch ginger (grated)
- 1 teaspoon maize flour (makki ka atta)
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon ghee or butter
How to Make It?
- Blanch the Greens: Boil sarson, palak, and bathua for 5-7 minutes until soft. Blend into a coarse paste.
- Prepare the Tadka: Heat ghee, sauté onions, garlic, and ginger. Add tomatoes and cook until mushy.
- Mix the Saag: Add the blended greens and cook on low heat, stirring continuously.
- Thicken the Saag: Add maize flour (makki ka atta) to enhance the texture.
- Serve Traditionally: Enjoy with makki ki roti, white butter, and jaggery.
Other Bathua Delicacies
Beyond saag, dal, and parathas, bathua can be used in various creative and delicious dishes. From cooling raita to crispy cutlets and stir-fries, these recipes are nutrient-rich and easy to prepare. Let’s explore some unique Bathua delicacies that will add variety to your winter meals.
Bathua Raita
A refreshing and probiotic-rich dish made with yogurt and blanched bathua leaves. This simple side dish complements parathas, biryani, or dal-rice and aids in digestion.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh bathua leaves (washed & blanched)
- 2 cups thick yogurt (curd)
- 1 small green chili (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon black salt
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander for garnish
How to Make It?
- Blanch & Blend: Boil bathua leaves for 2 minutes, cool, and blend into a paste.
- Mix with Yogurt: Whisk yogurt and add bathua paste.
- Season & Garnish: Add salt, black salt, cumin powder, and chopped green chilies. Mix well.
- Chill & Serve: Garnish with coriander and serve cold.
Best Served With:
Aloo paratha, jeera rice, or any Indian meal.
Cooking Tips for Bathua Dishes
Cooking with bathua can be simple and rewarding when you follow the right techniques. Here are some expert tips to enhance flavors, retain nutrients, and ensure the best texture in your bathua recipes.
1. Cleaning & Preparing Bathua Leaves Properly
- Bathua leaves tend to have a lot of dirt and grit, so always wash them thoroughly.
- Soak them in a bowl of water for 5-10 minutes, then rinse 3-4 times under running water.
- Remove hard stems and keep only the tender leaves for better texture in dishes like paratha and saag.
2. Retaining Nutrients While Cooking
- Avoid overcooking bathua, as it can lose its essential vitamins & minerals.
- Blanching (boiling for 2 minutes and then cooling in ice water) helps retain color & nutrients.
- If making saag or sabzi, cook on a low flame with minimal water to preserve nutrients.
- Don’t discard the water after boiling bathua—it can be used in soups, dals, or dough.
3. Enhancing Flavor with the Right Ingredients
- Bathua has a mildly earthy and slightly bitter taste. To balance flavors:
- Add garlic, ginger, and green chilies to improve taste.
- Mix with methi (fenugreek) or palak (spinach) for a richer saag.
- Use roasted cumin, mustard seeds, or hing (asafoetida) for a fragrant touch.
- For parathas, pair bathua with ajwain (carom seeds) or kasuri methi for extra aroma.