My mom’s palya recipe, which is a South Indian stir-fry dish, never gets old because I can apply it to so many different vegetables that are available around me.
This time, I used sweet potatoes and mizuna, Japanese greens that have a peppery flavor and remind me a bit of mustard greens used in Indian cooking.
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Indian Stir Fry – Sweet Potato and Feta Palya
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
Description
A vibrant South Indian stir-fry featuring sweet potatoes and peppery mizuna greens, topped with creamy feta cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil
- 3/4 lb (340 g) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 bunch mizuna greens, leaves and an inch of stem chopped
- 1/4 large onion, chopped
- Pinch of asafetida (hing)
- 1/3 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp urad dal
- 1 tbsp chana dal
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add a pinch of asafetida and 1 tsp of mustard seeds. Shake the pan gently.
- Once the mustard seeds begin to pop, add 1 tbsp each of urad dal and chana dal. Fry until the dals start to turn golden brown.
- Add 1/4 large chopped onion to the pan and sauté until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1/3 tsp turmeric and the cubed sweet potatoes. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Add the chopped mizuna greens and salt to taste. Cook for another 5 minutes until the greens are wilted.
- Remove from heat and gently fold in 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Serve warm as a side dish or a light main course.
Notes
- This dish can be made with other greens like spinach or kale if mizuna is unavailable.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently before serving.
- The feta cheese adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the potatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 15
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is palya and why does this version use both urad dal and chana dal?
Palya is a South Indian stir-fry dish. The recipe uses 1 tbsp each of urad dal and chana dal as a tempering element — they are fried in the hot oil until golden brown, adding a nutty crunch that contrasts with the soft sweet potato. 
What is mizuna, and can I substitute it?
Mizuna is a Japanese green with a peppery flavor that the article compares to the mustard greens used in Indian cooking. The notes say you can replace it with spinach or kale if mizuna is unavailable.
What does the feta add to a South Indian stir-fry?
The notes explain that ¼ cup of crumbled feta adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes — an unconventional but intentional fusion twist in this recipe.
