Curry House Pre-Cooked Spinach
Mild, finely chopped spinach cooked with onion, garlic and panch phoron, ready for British curry house saag dishes and vegetable curries.
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons rapeseed oil or other neutral oil
- 1 x 5cm piece cassia bark
- 1 Indian bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons panch phoron
- 1 medium onion about 150g, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic or Curry House Garlic and Ginger Paste
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¾ teaspoon fine salt or to taste
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water only if needed
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a rolling boil and prepare a large bowl of very cold water.
- Blanch the spinach in two batches for 30 seconds each, then transfer it immediately to the cold water.
- Drain the cooled spinach and squeeze it firmly in handfuls until it no longer drips.
- Chop the spinach finely in several directions, retaining a little texture.
- Heat the oil in a wide frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the cassia and bay for 30 seconds, then add the panch phoron for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Add the onion and half the salt. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until soft and lightly golden, then stir in the garlic or Curry House Garlic and Ginger Paste for 30 seconds.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the turmeric and spinach, then cook for 3 to 4 minutes until evenly combined and hot. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water only if the mixture catches.
- Remove the cassia and bay leaf. Stir in the remaining salt, adjust to taste and use immediately, or cool promptly before portioning.
Notes
Use about 100g to add spinach to a curry serving four, or 250 to 400g for a spinach led curry. For frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze 500g, then begin at the spiced onion stage. Keep the master batch mild and adjust the chilli in the finished curry. Refrigerate or freeze within two hours and use refrigerated portions within 48 hours.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Calories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 536mgPotassium: 741mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 11723IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 4mg
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