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5 from 2 votes

Indian-Spiced Spinach (Saag)

Indian-Spiced Spinach (also known as Saag) is a gluten-free side dish that can be made vegan or vegetarian, or with chicken. Layered with Indian flavours (onion, ginger, garlic, coriander, cumin, and cardamom), but simple to prepare, you can make it in about 30 minutes. Makes 4 servings. 
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: dinner, lunch, side
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Indian spinach, palak paneer, spicy saag
Servings: 4 healthy servings
Calories: 125kcal
Author: sylvia

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
  • 1/2 cup onion, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 300 grams frozen spinach
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt {dairy or non-dairy, do not use sweetened yogurt}

Vegetarian Variation

  • 1/2 cup paneer, per person

Meat-eater Variation

  • 1 cup cooked chicken, per person

Instructions

  • Defrost and cook the spinach according to the package directions. Set aside
  • Fry the onions, ginger, and garlic in the oil over medium heat, for about 4 or 5 minutes or until lightly browning. 
  • Add the dry spices and continue frying fo another 15 minutes. You will need to stir this every few minutes or so. The mixture will get dryer as you fry it. Add a tablespoon of water when it gets too dry.
  • Add the spinach and yogurt and heat through.
  • Blend until the spinach is your desired consistency. Taste, and add salt as needed. Salt will bring out all of the flavours.

For variations

  • Stir in the paneer and/or chicken and heat through.

Notes

Adapted From

This recipe was adapted from Aarti Sequeira's Paneer: Spinach with Indian Cheese recipe. 

Using Fresh Spinach

You can make this recipe with fresh spinach as well. You will need about 10 cups of spinach. Steam it, then drain and chop it and set aside.

Storage and Reheating

This will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge. Reheat it over low heat and add water as needed to thin it to your desired consistency. 

Nutritional Information 

Nutritional information is an estimate only and is based on using dairy yogurt, and without the variations. 
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 384mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 8900IU | Vitamin C: 6.8mg | Calcium: 162mg | Iron: 2mg