Indian Creamed Spinach ~ Malai Palak
This recipe for Indian creamed spinach (also known as malai palak) is from our restaurant Rasika. It's a quick weeknight dinner--you can make the included version as aloo palak or palak paneer, as well.
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby spinach
- 1/4 cup mild vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
- 2 1/2 cups finely chopped yellow onions
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh Thai green chili or jalapeno
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon finely ground dried fenugreek leaves
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add half the spinach to the boiling water, stirring well until it wilts, about 15 seconds. Using a spider strainer or mesh spoon, transfer the spinach to the ice water and repeat the blanching process with the remaining the spinach.
- Drain the spinach well and transfer it to a blender. Add 1 cup of water and blend into a fine, bright green purée.
- In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, warm the oil until it shimmers. Add the cumin seeds and garlic and sizzle until the garlic browns, about 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 8 minutes. (The garlic will make the onions look browner than they really are.)
- Stir in the ginger, green chili, and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds. Add the spinach purée and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Be careful; it will sputter like bubbling lava.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the cream, salt, and fenugreek leaf powder. Return to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Serve hot.
Notes
Variation On Malai Palak
To make palak paneer, simply add 2 cups cubed paneer (a 12-ounce package) along with the cream, salt, and fenugreek leaf powder in step 5. To make aloo palak, simply add 2 cups cooked potatoes cut into 1/2-inch (12-mm) cubes along with the cream, salt, and fenugreek leaf powder in step 5.Nutrition
Serving: 1portion | Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 680mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g