Introduction:
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this isn’t authentic Indian cuisine – it’s Indo-Fusion cuisine. Surprisingly though, this is not a recipe I came up with. Instead, my mother did. I think it’s a version of Saag Paneer – the very heavy and creamy spinach with paneer (cheese) that you usually find in Indian restaurants.
Unlike Saag Paneer, this recipe is quick, easy to make, and a LOT healthier. So let’s get started!
Ingredients:
- 2 frozen bags of spinach
- 1 can of garbanzo beans
- 1 tub of ricotta cheese (whole, low-fat, or non-fat – whatever you like)
- Olive oil (or any cooking oil)
- Mustard seeds
- Ajwain seeds
- Cumin seeds
- Curry leaves
- Turmeric powder
- Curry powder
- Cumin powder
Step 1:
Put a large pot on the range at medium heat, and add 4 spoons of olive oil. Let it heat for 2 minutes, and then add 2 spoons of mustard seeds. Wait for the mustard seeds to heat and pop; if they do not pop after a few minutes, increase the heat and wait.
Step 2:
After the mustard seeds start popping, add 2 spoons of Ajwain seeds into the pot. Then add a pinch of cumin seeds in. Then add 2-4 curry leaves.
Step 3:
Rip open the bag of frozen spinach and add to the pot. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes and slowly thaw and cook.
Step 4:
After the spinach has mostly thawed and is cooking (5-10 minutes), add 2 spoons of curry powder. Then add 1 spoon of cumin powder. And then, add ½ a spoon of turmeric powder. Stir the entire mix.
Step 5:
Drain the can of garbanzo beans, and add it to the pot. Stir the entire mixture, cover, and wait for 3-5 minutes.
Step 6:
Open the ricotta cheese container, and add it to the pot. Stir thoroughly.
Step 7:
Add 1-3 spoons of salt to the pot. Stir thoroughly. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir and you are done!
Final thoughts:
I enjoy eating this Indian spinach recipe with quinoa, white rice, or brown rice. You can also eat it with chapatis – or, if you don’t have chapatis, try using flour tortillas from any store. I try to avoid store-bought cooked items, but tortillas aren’t too bad. And the bottom line is that this recipe is a lot healthier than any take-out item from a fast food joint!
