Spinach is one of those food items that you are either going to love or hate. In fact, according to a recent poll, the leafy green veg does not rank anywhere near the Top 5 favorite vegetables among Americans. When it comes to Indian cooking, however, spinach is a beloved ingredient. Here are just three of many tantalizing Indian dishes that can easily be made at home.
Palak Paneer is a Hot Favorite
Palak paneer is an aromatic, flavorsome dish from North India. It is typically made using fresh spinach, paneer, spices, onions, and herbs. The dish is prepared by blanching freshly-picked and cleaned spinach leaves before pureeing it in a food processor. The puree is then cooked together with the other ingredients to create a rich-tasting gravy. Once the gravy is cooked the paneer is added and allowed to simmer until done. A bit of fresh cream can be added to make the dish more eye-catching. If you want to grow your own spinach specifically for making Palak paneer, opt for a variety that produces dark green foliage such as the Nordic IV and F1 Mikado cultivars. You can, however, use any spinach to make this delightful dish although the color and taste may differ slightly.
Saag is a Popular Staple
When dining in a restaurant you are bound to come across a number of saag dishes on the menu. In Indian cooking, saag simply refers to leafy green vegetables. More often than not, however, it refers to spinach. In restaurants, saag is most often served with chicken, lamb, fish, or shrimp. The spinach is usually chopped very finely and cooked with onion and spinach. You can also add fresh cream for a completely different flavor profile. Although delicious with meat, saag can also make for a tasty vegetarian dish. Two examples of veg-based dishes include Alu Saag (spinach and potatoes) and Saag Chole (spinach cooked with chickpeas & spices).
Who Doesn’t Love Bhaji?
Spinach Bhaji (curry) is a very popular dish in both Indian restaurants and private homes. There are many variants of this popular dish with the most loved being a dry curry that is traditionally served with Indian bread such as paratha, naan, or chapati. You can prepare your own spinach bhaji at home by finely chopping your spinach before frying together sliced onion and a selection of spices. You will add some chopped potatoes to the onions and fry it before finally adding the spinach, covering the pot, and allowing it to simmer until the potatoes are soft. Once you have tasted your bhaji to ensure the flavoring is correct, you can dish it up and enjoy it immediately.
Spinach is used extensively in Indian cooking. Although these dishes are served extensively in restaurants, most are also easy enough for you to prepare in the comfort of your own home.