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Indian saag with spiced chickpeas and pilaf

Versatile Indian saag recipe

Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 16 oz bag of spinach
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tb ginger finely grated
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 medium tomato diced
  • 1 jalapeno roughly chopped
  • 2 handfuls cilantro leaves and stalks
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup cream

Instructions

  1. In a small sauce pan, warm a little water and gentle wilt the spinach.  Drain, squash out any excess water, and leave for later in the dish.

  2. In a large pot, add 3-4 tablepsoons oil and add chopped onion.  Cooking over medium heat until onion starts to brown.

  3. Add ginger, crushed garlic and chopped jalapeƱos and cook briskly for a couple minutes till oil seasoned.  Don't let the aromatics stick to the pan, add more oil if needed.

  4. Add tomato  and keep cooking briskly. This should nicely deglaze the pan too.  Cook for two minutes and add dry spices.   After one more minute add 1/4 cup water and cilantro.  Stir well, turn to medium low heat.

  5. This step can be made as quick or as long as you like.  This is essentially the basics of a curry sauce and the longer you cook the more they will break down into a consistent gravy.  The longer you cook you may want to add a little more water to keep the desired consistency; not thin, but not so thick it sticks to the pan.

  6. When ready to complete the dish, take an immersion blender and puree the ingredients into a sauce.  

  7. Add pre-wilted spinach and stir into sauce.  When mixed in well use the immersion blender to turn the pan into a jade green sauce.

  8. Before serving check for salt and spice.  You might like more of both, sometimes I add more cayenne powder and another 1/2 tsp of salt.  Finish the dish before service before adding heavy cream, stirring well.