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–+ servings

Curry House Pre-Cooked Spinach

Mild, finely chopped spinach cooked with onion, Garlic and Ginger Paste and panch phoron, ready for curry house saag dishes, vegetable curries and batch cooking.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine British Indian
Servings 4
Calories 109 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g fresh baby spinach
  • Very cold water and ice for cooling
  • 30 ml rapeseed oil or another neutral cooking oil
  • 1 x 5cm piece cassia bark
  • 1 Indian bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons panch phoron
  • 150 g onion finely chopped
  • 20 g Garlic and Ginger Paste
  • ¾ teaspoon fine salt divided
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • Up to 30ml water only if needed

Instructions
 

  • Bring water to a rolling boil in a saucepan with a capacity of at least 4 litres. Fill a large bowl with very cold water and ice, then place a colander nearby.
  • Add the spinach in two batches. Press each batch below the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds, just until wilted, then transfer it immediately to the cold water.
  • Once the spinach is completely cool, drain it. Squeeze it firmly in small handfuls until damp but no longer dripping.
  • Chop the squeezed leaves finely in several directions, retaining a little leafy texture.
  • Heat the oil in a wide frying pan over medium heat. Fry the cassia and Indian bay leaf for 30 seconds, then add the panch phoron and stir for 15 to 20 seconds, just until the seeds begin to sizzle.
  • Add the onion and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring regularly, until soft and lightly golden. Add the Garlic and Ginger Paste and stir continuously for 45 seconds.
  • Reduce the heat to medium low. Add the turmeric and chopped spinach, then cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning it through the onions until evenly combined and hot. Add up to 30ml water only if the mixture begins to catch.
  • Remove and discard the cassia and Indian bay leaf. Stir in the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and adjust only if needed. Use immediately, or spread in a shallow container and cool before portioning.

Notes

  • For frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze 500g frozen leaf or chopped spinach, skip Steps 1 to 4 and begin at Step 5.
  • Use about 100g when spinach is an addition to a curry serving four.
  • Use 350g to 450g for a spinach led curry serving four.
  • Keep the master batch mild and adjust chilli, garam masala and acidity in the final dish.
  • Refrigerate within two hours and use within 48 hours, or freeze promptly.

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 538mgPotassium: 756mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 11724IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 133mgIron: 4mg
Keyword BIR spinach preparation, curry house spinach recipe, pre-cooked saag, spinach for curry
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