Spinach Curry

Spinach curry is a curry dish containing spinach paste which is immensely popular in Indian cuisine where it is known as ‘palak ka saag’. In Indian cuisine spinach curry recipe incorporates the use of lots of spices and other ingredients, but in western cuisines the curry is usually mildly spiced and contains very less ingredients.

The dark green color and the health benefits related with the recipe makes it quite favorable among vegetarians. There are many curry dishes prepared with spinach, some of them are chickpea and spinach curry, aloo palak and palak paneer.

History and Origin of Spinach Curry Recipe

There is no evidence related to the origin of spinach curry. This recipe might be invented in order to preserve the spinach leaves. As spinach leaves spoil very fast, hence it is a good idea to convert them into paste and use it as curry.

Ingredients Prescribed by Spinach Curry Recipe

Spinach curry contains spinach paste as the main ingredient. Indian curry dishes include various spices and ingredients such as onion paste, ginger-garlic paste and tomato puree. Among the spices; coriander powder, turmeric, red chili powder and salt are very common. Cumin powder and garam masala are incorporated in spinach curry to give extra flavor, but they are optional.

Vegetarian spinach curries are prepared with cottage cheese, chickpeas and potato. Non-vegetarian curries may include mutton, chicken and even fish. In few variations, cream is added as a garnish.

A kind of spinach curry is popular as ‘cheera kootan’. The specialty of this curry is  grated coconut and split moong dal. Mustard seeds are also added as a flavoring.

Method of Preparation of Spinach Curry Recipe

Stir-fried method is used to prepare spinach curry. Onion paste and ginger-garlic paste are stir-fried in a heavy bottomed pan along with tomato puree and spices. The spinach is added either in minced form or in chopped form. Usually, to make spinach paste, the leaves are boiled and processed in blender. If chopped leaves are being incorporated, then no need of boiling. Raw leaves may be included to the curry.

While preparing ‘chreera kootan’, moong dal and coconut are grated in food processor before adding to the pan. Once all the ingredients are added, the curry is stir-fried on high flame and simmered for few minutes. Boiled chickpeas, potato and cottage cheese are included in the end and cooked for some time on low flame.

Serving and Eating of Spinach Curry

Spinach curry is fondly served as a main dish along with chapatti or steamed rice. While serving, a dash of heavy cream is usually added on top of the curry.

Nutritional and Health Facts Related to Spinach Curry Recipe

Spinach curry is a very healthy dish as spinach is a rich source of iron and vitamins. Other ingredients such as spices are also beneficial for health. Cottage cheese, chick peas and potato add to the nutritional value of the dish. Even oil is also used in very less amount, hence it is considered as low-fat recipe.