You can’t miss seeing saag on the menu when dining at Little India of Denver. It is a healthy and flavourful popular Punjabi-Indian dish. It has an impressive history. The lip-smacking super nutritious, rich dish can be accompanied by bread, paratha, or flavored rice. The dishes made with saag are popular in many households. Saag links to green leafy vegetables such as spinach, mustard leaves, dill, and fenugreek. 

History 

Saag also has names such as sag or saga. It is a South Asian leafy vegetable dish including spinach, mustard leaves, or other greens. But the main ingredient that elevates this dish is spices. 

Saag is a common dish in Odisha. Temples in Odisha offer it as mahaprashad. Bengal and Punjab prepare it as Sarson da saag accompanied by Makki-ki-roti (roti made maize flour). Hence, the dish is in many variations, prevalent in western restaurants too.

Health benefits of Saag

The primary leaves used to make this dish, like spinach, mustard is nutrient-rich. They are rich in vitamin K, A, C, & E and folate. They are good sources of energy and boost immunity. The dish is an excellent source of B vitamins, Magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Rich in iron, it helps to keep the hemoglobin levels. It helps in reducing stress.

It is one dish that not only the vegetarians and non-vegetarians can relish, but people who eat only a plant-based diet can relish too by replacing paneer & meat with tofu. And it is gluten-free.

Preparation of Saag

Firstly, wash the greens and chop them finely. Immerse in hot boiling water and simmer for 5-7 mins without covering the container. Then remove from the heat and instantly put in the ice-cold water to retain the rich color. Ginger, garlic, green chilies, and onions are sautéed in hot oil along with turmeric powder & garam masala. Then add the slurry made with a mix of water and cornmeal to make the gravy thick and rich. Then simmer with added meat or paneer/tofu. Temper with cumin, dried red chili, and garlic. Finally, squeeze a lemon to enhance the taste and boost the Vitamin C. However, saag tastes best when served hot with a dollop of white butter. 

Tips to make perfect Saag:

– Adding finely chopped ginger and garlic enhances the taste of the dish.

– Cook it without the lid to retain its color and reduce its bitterness. After boiling, giving the leaves an ice bath can also leave the dish lush green.

– Chop the stems and leaves of spinach or mustard leaves and steam till tender.

– The bitterness that comes from mustard leaves while cooking the dish can be managed by adding grated jaggery.

– While most of them prefer the coarse texture of saag, it can be made into a puree before cooking if one likes to be smooth.

– To make this dish rich and thick, one can add cornmeal which also gives a nutty flavor to the dish

What ‘Saags’ do we have for you?

• Chicken Saag – This is a combination of flavors and nutrition. This fantastic curry is cooked with marinated chicken, blanched spinach, and basic spices. The tender, juicy chicken soaks up all the flavors of saag, making it super delicious.
• Lamb Saag – Is popular as saag ghost in northern Indian regions. The lamb for this recipe is cooked on high heat first until it browns, then added to the saag and simmered until tender and juicy.
• Chicken Tikka Saag – The chicken is marinated and grilled to perfection. It is then added to the saag base tossed till it absorbs all the flavors, making it super tasty.
• Shrimp Saag – The saag and the shrimp make a super nutrient combination. The marinated shrimps are quickly tossed with the mild spice saag to highlight the flavor of the shrimp.
• Fish Saag – The fish cooks to perfection, moist, and infused with flavors, spices, and aromatics.

 Please mention to us if you have any dietary restrictions or don’t prefer proteins. We love giving attention to every detail to serve Gluten-free or make changes if you are on a plant-based diet. 

 Visit Little India of Denver if you are craving some delicious saag dishes. We are located at four locations: (i)330 E. 6th Avenue, (ii) 2390 S. Downing St., (iii) 32nd & Lowell Highland (iv) 29th Avenue Central Park serving traditional and authentic Indian food.