Aaloo Palak

There are certain vegetables, I am not really very fond of but, still they find a regular place in my menu. Thats because they are very essential for a healthy vegetarian diet. One such veggie is 'Spinach'. I feel as if it leaves a bitter after taste in my mouth and this is why I always combine it with one of my favourite things. I also add a little sugar which is obviously optional. It results in things like these. This time I am combining it with potato, which is an all favourite with me and with many people I know. So, this combo works great. Have a look!

Aaloo Palak:

Ingredients:

5-6 baby potatoes, boiled peeled and chopped into chunks.
2 cup baby spinach washed and chopped finely.
1 tbsp oil.
1 tsp cumin seeds.
Few strands on ginger.
1 green chilli, seeded and chopped.
¼ cup chopped onion.
¼ tsp turmeric powder.
½ tsp red chilli powder.
1 heaped tsp coriander powder.
½ tsp garam masala
1 tsp lemon juice.
½ tsp sugar or crushed jaggery(optional).
Chopped coriander leaves to garnish.

Process:

1. Heat a pan and add oil. When heated add the cumin seeds, chili and ginger.

2. After a few seconds add the chopped onions and sauté for a minute till the onions are translucent.

3. Add the chopped potatoes and stir. Add all the spices and salt except garam masala. Cook for 5 minutes.

4. Now add the chopped spinach and give it a good stir. Cover the pan for 3-4 minutes and keep the gas on medium.

5. Now, add garam masala, lemon juice and sugar/jaggery if using. Give it a good stir and cook for a minute. Turn off the gas and cover the pan for 5 minutes.

6. Transfer the subji in a serving bowl, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with roti/ chappati.

Sending this off to Sara's Event Only Green. This event is the brain child of Pari.

Enjoy!

Palak Aaloo Paratha

Spinach is a nutrition superstar, even a fairly good source of iron. It's loaded with vitamins and minerals, some of which are hard to find in other foods. It is an excellent source of beta-carotene, a powerful disease-fighting antioxidant that's been shown, among other things, to reduce the risk of developing cataracts. It fights heart disease and cancer as well. Well these facts are just a few drops in an ocean. Check out a well documented article on the benefits of Spinach here.

Here is a recipe of parathas- 'Palak Aaloo Paratha' which has a fair amount of spinach. I am sending this to Healing Food- Event- Spinach: hosted by Divya started by Siri.
Also send it to EFM-Also sending it to EFM-Parathas and Gravies / Curries Series hosted by Srilekha of Me and my Kitchen.

This recipe makes 4 parathas.

Corn Palak

'Corn Palak' - When I reflected on these words, I suddenly realised we are so accustomed to 'Hinglish' (Hindi-English) words them we seldom realise that we have so many mixed words in our vocabulary. Still, I thought it would not be a good idea to call it Bhutta- Palak or Corn Spinach as I am so used to hearing  'Corn Palak'. 
I make this very often coz its so full of nutrients. For further reading, read benefits of Spinach and Corn here and here.

Here is the recipe for 'Corn Palak'.

Sweet corn kernels in spinach and tomato gravy spiced with Indian spices.

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer:
Cottage cheese cubes in spinach and tomato gravy spiced with Indian spices and a generous scoop of whipped cream

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This recipe serves 2-3 people.

Ingredients:

100 gm fresh baby spinach leaves.
100 gm cottage cheese (paneer) cut into small cubes.
½ onion chopped finely
2 tomatoes.
½ cup whipped cream.
1 green chilli deseeded and chopped finely
½ tsp grated ginger.
1 tbsp of oil.
½ tsp turmeric powder.
2 heap tsp coriander powder.
½ tsp red chilli powder.
½ tsp garam masala.
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp salt or to taste.
1 tsp sugar.
1 cup water


Procedure:

Microwave the spinach and tomatoes with 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Blend the spinach and tomatoes into a fine puree. Heat a pan and add 1 tbsp of oil. When heated add the cumin seeds, if they crack right away the oil is ready. Add the chopped chilies and grated ginger. Then add the finely chopped onion and sauté the onion till they are translucent. Add all the spices and heat for another 2 minutes. Then add the tomato and spinach gravy. Heat for another 5 minutes. Added the whipped cream and sugar and give a good stir. Now add the cottage cheese cubes and heat for 2-3 minutes.

Serve hot with paratha, naan or rice.