This aloo palak aka saag aloo is an easy vegan dish for your lunch or dinner. This is also a healthy dish where potatoes are cooked with spinach greens.
½tspgaram masala / all spices(powdered whole spice mix)
¼tspkasuri methi (dried fenugreek)(roasted and powdered) optional
½cupcoconut milk/ coconut cream(optional)
Instructions
Wash & clean spinach greens.
Blanch the spinach leaves and cool it with ice cold water to retain color.
Transfer to a blender and puree it to a smooth paste.
Prepare Potatoes
If using baby potatoes, boil them to fork-tender.
You can also steam potatoes in the Instant pot. Pour 1 cup water in the inner pot. Place the steamer basket on the trivia and place the potatoes in it. Close the lid and start Manual Pressure Cook mode for 5 minutes. NPR for 4 minutes, then quick release.
Remove the skins once cooled.
If using regular potatoes, peel and dice into bite-sized pieces.
Heat oil in a pan.
Shallow fry potatoes till its golden in color.
Once done, remove from pan and keep aside.
Method I - Spinach gravy
Make a puree of tomato, ginger, garlic, green chilli to fine paste.
Add 3 tbsp oil in a pan and heat on medium flame.
Put one bay leaf.
Add chopped onion, garlic (2 cloves) to the pan and saute till translucent.
In a blender add tomatoes with ginger, 2 cloves garlic, and green chilli (optional), and blend it to a smooth paste.
Add pureed tomato to the pan. And saute till it's cooked nicely.
Then add all the above mentioned ground spices (coriander powder, chilli powder or cayenne pepper, turmeric powder, cumin powder)
Saute till the paste is cooked well.
Add cooked potatoes and simmer for 2 minutes.
Then add spinach puree and give it a nice stir.
Season with salt and ¼ cup water or coconut milk.
Simmer for 3- 4 minutes.
Next add fried potatoes to the gravy.
In the end add garam masala, dry roasted and powdered kasuri methi and give a nice stir.
Turn off heat and add a dash of lemon juice.
Optional - Add some coconut milk for richer, creamier gravy.
Stir-frying Method
Wash and clean the leaves. Air dry for sometime.
Chop the leaves finely.
Heat oil in a pan.
Add a pinch of cumin seeds, and let it splutter.
Then add chopped onion, garlic and saute till translucent.
Next add diced potatoes and cover the pan with a lid.
Cook till potatoes are cooked upto 80%.
Add all ground spices and give it a nice stir.
Now add chopped spinach and stir them gently making sure all leaves started to wilt.
Keep stirring occasionally.
Season with salt.
Cook for 3 - 4 minutes on medium to high heat so that the water released by spinach will evaporate and the dish won't be soggy.
After 5 minutes, remove from heat and sprinkle some garam masala and a dash of lemon juice.
Video
Notes
If potatoes are not boiled, then directly shallow fry by covering with a lid. Try with paneer or tofu in place of potatoes. Add coconut milk to make this creamier and smoother. However, it's totally optional.Add salt as per taste and start with less amount first and taste. Then add more if required. When doubling the recipe don't double the salt before tasting since spinach reduces in quantity.Also, I have added green chilli, red chilli powder as I make it spicy. For lesser spicy reduce the chillies. Also, you can substitute with cayenne pepper or sweet paprika depending on taste.