Spinach with Tomato Saag, a classic North Indian dish bursting with vibrant colors and rich flavors, is a delightful fusion of fresh spinach, succulent tomatoes, and a symphony of aromatic spices. This comforting dish originated in the Punjab region of India, where the abundance of fresh produce and the culinary expertise of the local people come together to create a truly unforgettable culinary experience. As you delve into the world of spinach with tomato saag, let us guide you through the secrets of preparing this wholesome dish, exploring the perfect balance of spices, textures, and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
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SAAG (INDIAN SPINACH)
An Indian spinach dish similar to that served in Indian restaurants. This is great as a main course or served as part of a larger meal. Serve with basmati rice and a little raita if you like. The dish is also great with the addition of paneer cubes or boiled potatoes - though I love it plain.
Provided by GreenGal
Categories Spinach
Time 50m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, saute onion in oil on medium high along with ginger and garam masala until onions are translucent and begin to pick up some color.
- Add minced garlic to pan, and cook briefly to soften. Do not allow the garlic to burn - lower heat if necessary.
- Add tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes. Incidentally, you can add a little more or less tomato depending on what you have available, slight differences in quantity will not be noticeable.
- Stir in yogurt. Do not worry if the yogurt separates.
- Add curry powder, coriander, cumin, sugar, and salt.
- Add bag of frozen spinach and mix well to combine. There is no need to defrost first if you use a the bagged spinach. If you are using the frozen block, I would advise defrosting first. You can also use the equivalent of fresh spinach.
- Add about a cup of water to the pot and cover. Simmer on medium for approximately 30 minutes. Spinach is done when the color has changed from the initial bright green to a much less vibrant green (almost brownish). If you crank up the heat, it is possible to cook this a little faster, but you have to pay attention to the moisture level. You may have to add more water throughout the cooking process if it cooks off.
- Once the spinach is fully cooked, remove the lid and cook off any remaining liquid. The spinach should be moist, but there should not be much liquid free in the bottom of the pan.
- Remove pan from heat.
- Using an immersion blender, blender, or food processor, puree the spinach. Leave it as chunky as you like. You can also choose to puree only half of the mixture if you like bigger pieces of spinach.
- Add further salt to taste.
- I have found that I have to fine tune the spices every time I make this dish depending on how I feel that day. For me, adding further small amounts of coriander is the key.
- If you like, potatoes, paneer cubes or chick peas may be added at this point.
- ***NOTE*** It is very helpful to prepare all ingredients in advance of cooking so that they can be added quickly during the cooking process. I recommend combining the components of each step beforehand (i.e. pre-measuring the spices together) so that you can just dump everything in quickly as you go.
CHANA SAAG
Saag literally translates to greens so even though spinach has become a popular choice, feel free to mix in other greens like mustard greens or chard. While some may expect a very saucy rich dish, traditionally, this recipe has very little or even no cream. This version veers from tradition to include some of the chickpea liquid to add viscosity and a silky texture without more dairy.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook the rice as the label directs. Set aside off the heat, about 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Finely chop the ginger, garlic and chile in a mini food processor; set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; cook until sizzling, 30 seconds. Add the onion; cook, stirring, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the pot is dry, 3 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon garam masala.
- Stir the chickpeas and chopped chile mixture into the pot. Add the spinach in batches, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of the reserved chickpea liquid if the pot is getting too dark. Season generously with salt and pepper and stir in 1/4 cup chickpea liquid. Partially cover and cook, stirring, until the spinach is soft, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream; remove from the heat.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and 1/2 teaspoon garam masala. Cook until the seeds pop, a few seconds. Stir into the spinach; season with salt and pepper. Serve the chana saag with the rice, naan, yogurt and/or lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 390, Fat 23 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Cholesterol 53 milligrams, Sodium 796 milligrams, Carbohydrate 37 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Sugar 8 grams, Protein 14 grams
SAUTEED SPINACH AND TOMATOES
Delicate spinach becomes a stand-out side dish when tossed with bursting cherry tomatoes and golden brown shallots.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Quick & Easy Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add shallots and cook, stirring often, until soft and starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until tomato skins are split and shallots are golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add spinach, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, 3 minutes. To serve, sprinkle with Pecorino Romano.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 324 g, Fat 23 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 16 g
TOMATO SPINACH SALAD
When she serves fresh spinach tossed with a creamy dill dressing, Ruth Seitz of Columbus Junction, Iowa receives plenty of compliments. "The recipe is a longtime favorite," she says.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 10m
Yield 6-8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a jar with tight-fitting lid, combine first six ingredients; shake well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, in a large salad bowl combine spinach and tomatoes. Shake dressing; drizzle over salad and toss.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 145 calories, Fat 13g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 290mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
AUTHENTIC SAAG PANEER
Saag paneer is a classic Indian dish of cooked spinach studded with cubes of fried paneer cheese. Thickened with cream or coconut milk, it's a hearty and filling vegetarian meal.
Provided by Allrecipes
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Indian
Time 1h
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook spinach and fenugreek in the boiling water until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a food processor. Puree until finely chopped, about 5 pulses.
- Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry paneer cubes, stirring constantly, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in the skillet and fry the cumin seeds until lightly toasted and aromatic, about 3 minutes. Add onion; cook and stir until onion begins to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in ginger, garlic, tomato, garam masala, turmeric, and cayenne pepper; cook and stir until tomatoes break down and onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and fenugreek, cream, paneer cubes, and salt to taste. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 299 calories, Carbohydrate 18 g, Cholesterol 29 mg, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 5.2 g, Protein 17.1 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 479.9 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
INDIAN SPINACH WITH TOMATOES
Indian spices and vibrant colors combine to make a delicious spinach dish. Vegetarian friendly.
Provided by Shana McCoy
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Indian
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Wash spinach; shake dry and stem. Slice into 1-inch strips.
- Heat ghee in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until golden and soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Add ginger paste and toss gently to incorporate. Stir in chile powder, turmeric, garam masala, coriander seeds, peppers, salt, coriander, and cumin. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add spinach and coat well; add tomatoes with 1/2 of their juice. Bring mixture to a rapid boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the spinach and tomatoes have cooked down, 5 to 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 467.6 calories, Carbohydrate 25.5 g, Cholesterol 98.4 mg, Fat 40.3 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 9.2 g, SaturatedFat 24.2 g, Sodium 1201.6 mg, Sugar 6.5 g
SPINACH AND FETA COOKED LIKE SAAG PANEER
Here's a familiar Indian takeout staple--saag paneer--but with the ingenious substitution of large cubes of feta for paneer (a bit of inspiration from our 1998 family trip to Athens and near continuous consumption of Greek salads, which in Greece are just . . . salads). The first time I tasted it, it was like when I discovered you can do the 9 times table with your fingers in third grade, which is to say, I just about lost it. Not only is my mom's spinach gravy infinitely more complex than that of most versions of saag paneer (I have been known to steal sauce swipes out of the pan when my mom isn't looking), but I also love the way the feta gets all soft and pseudo-baked, soaking in all the spices and melting a little into the gravy. And then you hit the pan with the oiled-up cumin and red chile powder, which add a whole other level of richness. I would go as far as to say that I now want all future saag paneer I eat to be made with feta. And I bet you will, too.
Provided by Priya Krishna
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large pan over medium heat, warm 1/4 cup of the ghee (or oil). Once the ghee has melted (or the oil begins to shimmer), add the coriander and cardamom and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes, until the seeds start to brown. Add the onion and cook until it is translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the spinach and cook until it is just wilted, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the lime juice, green chile, and salt. Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and blend into a chunky paste. Return the spinach mixture to the same pan and set it over low heat. Stir in 1/2 cup water, then gently fold in the feta, being careful not to break up the cubes. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes more to soften the feta slightly and allow it to soak up some of the spinach sauce.
- While the feta cooks, in a small pan or butter warmer over medium-high heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons ghee (or oil) for 1 minute. Add the cumin seeds. As soon as (emphasis on as soon as--you don't want your cumin to burn!) the cumin seeds start to sputter and brown, about 1 minute max, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately add the asafetida (if using) and red chile powder.
- Pour all of the ghee (or oil) mixture into the spinach and feta once that is done cooking. Serve with rice or roti.
SPINACH SAAG
This recipe came from our friend who frequently takes Indian cooking courses at a local community college. You can add cooked chicken chunks if you like.
Provided by run for your life
Categories Curries
Time 35m
Yield 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Boil spinach until most all of the water has boiled out, set aside. (Puree spinach in food processor or blender).
- Saute onions until golden. Add tomatoes, ginger and garlic. Mix well, add dry seasoning.
- Stir constantly until it thickens, then add spinach, mix well.
- Cook 2 minutes. Salt to taste.
- Turn off heat, add plain yogurt a little at a time.
- Serve with basmati rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 244.6, Fat 16.9, SaturatedFat 3.2, Cholesterol 8, Sodium 135.9, Carbohydrate 19.2, Fiber 6.5, Sugar 9.3, Protein 8.6
INDIAN STYLE SPINACH WITH FRESH CHEESE (SAAG PANEER) - COOK'S IL
This classic dish combines pureed spinach with freshly made cheese in a mildly-spiced creamy sauce. This version includes a little bit of mustard greens for bite. Adapted from Cook's Illustrated Sep/Oct 2012. Note: if you place the colander over a bowl, the whey from the cheese makes very tasty bread. Also note that the serving size reported is incorrect - you are going to lose nearly 3 quarts of whey in the cheese making, so the actual serving size is more like 350gm or 12 oz.
Provided by DrGaellon
Categories Spinach
Time 1h45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Line a colander with a triple layer of cheesecloth and set in sink. Bring milk to boil in large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Whisk in buttermilk and salt and remove from heat. Let stand 1 minute. Pour through cheesecloth let drain 15 minutes.
- Pull together edges of cheesecloth to form pouch. Twist pouch, extracting as much liquid as possible. Place pouch between two plates and set a heavy pot on the top plate. Let stand at room temperature 45 minutes, or until cheese is firm and set. Drain whey as often as necessary. (Cheese can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated up to 3 days at this point.) Unwrap and dice cheese into 1/2" pieces.
- Place spinach in large bowl and microwave on high until wilted, about 3 minutes. Let cool until it can be handled.
- Chop enough spinach to make 1/2 cup and set aside. Place remaining spinach in blender container.
- Wilt mustard greens in same bowl in microwave, about 4 minutes. Let it cool until it can be handled.
- Chop enough mustard greens to make 1/2 cup and set aside with chopped spinach. Add remaining mustard greens to blender container.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds, coriander, paprika, cardamom, and cinnamon, and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onion and 3/4 tsp salt; cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, and jalapeno, and cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until pan is dry and tomatoes are beginning to brown, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer half the mixture to the blender.
- Add half the cashews and all the water to the blender. Process on high until smooth, about 1 minute. Add puree to skillet and return to medium-high heat. Add reserved greens and buttermilk and bring to simmer. Reduce to low, cover, and cook until flavors blend, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold in cheese cubes and cook until hot, 1-2 minutes. Serve sprinkled with remaining cashews and cilantro.
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use fresh spinach and tomatoes.
- If you don't have fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach. Just be sure to thaw it and squeeze out all the excess water before using it.
- You can use any type of tomatoes you like for this recipe. Cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, or even canned tomatoes will all work well.
- If you want a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Serve spinach with tomato saag with rice, quinoa, or naan bread.
Conclusion:
Spinach with tomato saag is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with nutrients and can be easily customized to your liking. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy vegetarian meal, give spinach with tomato saag a try.
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