This quick and easy recipe for Aloo Palak, which simply translates to potatoes and spinach, is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. I often rely on recipes like these for days when I'm flying by the seat of my pants!
My day started with me jumping out of bed realizing that I would be late for a meeting with one of my freelance clients. The leisure morning beauty regime I had planned for myself earlier (read: filing my nails into shape considered somewhat normal and putting on some nail polish) had to be ditched while I settled for a quick shower.
The meeting went well, lasted for a couple of hours over large cups of fabulous coffee and never-ending bites of warm buttery croissants, and ended with me bagging a couple of new assignments. That was followed by a mad dash home to vacuum and hide all the piled-up papers, books, and unmentionables under our bed to make the home look invitingly presentable to some last-minute guests. dirty dishes were haphazardly shoved into the dishwasher, and a sweet aromatic rosemary candle was lit. Amidst all the hoopla of trying to make my world look slightly more normal than it actually was, the thought of this Aloo Palak was attacking my brain cells.
I usually maintain a well-stocked fridge, freezer, and pantry - enough to whip up a lavish multi-course meal without heading for the nearest grocery shelves. But not today. The expected guests were close friends who'd very much appreciate a simple home-cooked meal. And I had to admit, I was almost out of breath and ready to crash when I finally entered the kitchen. It had to be a meal that was quick to prepare and didn't require much effort from me and of course, had to look grand. The one thing about me that you might have noticed by now is my obsessive need to make the people I feed feel extra special. Most dishes I settle for while entertaining are often a breeze to pull of, but you'd never guess that by looking at the spread. And that's exactly how I like it to be!
I put out a pack of cut-up chicken to defrost with a plan of making a quick and deliciously simple Chicken Curry. I threw a few cups of fragrant Basmati rice into a pot of water with some aromatic spices for a Pulao and started to tear up crisp lettuce for a quick tossed salad. Just as the rice started to emit a faint saffron aroma and the curry bubbled under a low simmer, I realized that I was missing a vegetable side dish. I found a large bunch of spinach sitting in my fridge, right after I spotted the basket of potatoes on my counter, and I knew just what I was going to be serving - the perfect accompaniment for the spread I had intended.
ALOO PALAK (SAUTEED SPINACH WITH POTATOES)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon light cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 2-3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely sliced
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 large potato, sliced into thin wedges
- salt, to taste
- 4 large bunches of spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Heat oil in a deep non-stick wok and saute cumin and coriander seeds with garlic and onions till fragrant. Add in spices and fry for a few seconds.
- Throw in potatoes, season with salt and fry for a few minutes till partly done. Add in spinach, and stir fry till it starts to wilt and potatoes are cooked through. Serve warm.
This post was originally published in September 2008 and has been recently updated.
If you enjoyed this recipe, then you will surely love my Jeera Aloo, and Aloo Shimla Mirch recipe as well.
Tried this recipe? Leave a Comment and let me know, also Rate it by clicking the number of stars on the recipe card. Want to share your version with me? Tag me on Instagram @hookedonheat
Roopa says
Thanks on your marvellous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and come back at some point. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice morning!
Yamona says
Was super impressed at how this turned out!!
Megs says
This was absolutely great and very easy to make, thank you for the recipe 🙂
thebuddinggourmet says
it's my one of favourite. And also it is very simple to cook. thanks for sharing.
tam says
love this recipe. i added methi (fenugreek) and it was great.
Khushbir says
Hi Meena, I am big fan of Spinach. Its mouth watering...
Anu says
I've been looking for this recipe. Looks great!
Catherine says
Simple yet tastes great and is healthy as well.
pritya says
Hi Meena, As always, I enjoyed reading your post. The recipe looks so good and seems so easy. The green in spinach and yellow of potatoes have been well captured in your pic. Cheers!
maris says
Spinach is my favorite veggie...definitely giving this one a try!
Chandan says
Wow! Looks tasty & yummy and a must try.
Amy says
I am trying to add more greens to our dinner menus - this will be a great addition for those who love potatoes. I like that it combines a vegetable and starch in one dish to save me an extra step at dinner time.
Hannah says
This looks great. Simple and nutritious!
Shella says
Hey Meena
The pic is awesome, and nothing to beat the comfort of palak aloo....for some close friends
kutus says
Lovely blog. Great recipes. Already tried out Alu Palak . It was fabulous.
Nina says
I know what I am making for dinner. Thanks for the inspiration and the recipe. I LOVE your blog.
MAG says
Such great recipes deserve an award! And it's waiting for you on my blog 🙂
Savita says
Hi Meena
I just happened to come across your website...Your pics are absolutely mouth-watering. I cannot wait to try your recipes!
I just have one few question. When you ask for 1tsp coriander seeds, do you mean the whole seeds or do I need to grind 1 tsp of coriander seeds?
Thanks SO much!
Savitqa
Mallika says
I love this dish. Try a squirt of lemon next time. It really lifts the dish.
Siri says
Simple yet yummy! the pic looks so delish Meena..:)
Hope you had a great time with your friends.
Cheers,
Siri
arundati says
aloo palak is one of my favourites.....the colours in this picture are fabulous....lemm go wipe the drool off the keyboard!!
Subarna says
Hi Meena.. this is by far the best cooking blog I've ever come across...2 days back I was searching for an easy to make Dal Makhani recipe and I'm so glad to find this blog.. I'm totally hooked on to it now... Guess what ...i've already tried 2 of ur recipes and they turned out to be very delicious.. I was going all gaga over ur website to my hubby dear :).. I've now made up my mind to try a new recipe of urs every day ... thanks so much...
and ya.. the pics are fab.. totally mouth watering...
-Subs
KS says
Hey!
Am trying this recipe out as I type! Smells great, and am sure will taste as good too! Thanks for the recipe. Will post pics on my blog!
vivari says
this sounds easy. I make spinach a lot so I will try it this way. thanks!
Rushina says
Hey!
I am inspired... we're having Aloo Palak for dinner, spiced with some East Indian Bottle Masalla!
sana says
I just stumbled across your blog. You have an awesome blog and an amazing writing style. I love the simplicity of your recipes.
Cynthia says
I fell in love with this dish the first time my mom made it for us.
I think I want to try cooking it with a little bit of coconut milk, I'll let the coconut milk cook until it's cracked.
Scott at Realepicurean says
I've just ordered saag aloo from the local takeaway. Yours looks much more delicious!
Fanny says
This is similar to a dish I used to make a lot as a side dish. It's really a fabulous dish, and gets more vegetables into your guests. It also looks like it's harder to make than it really is!
Smith says
Awesome!!! Sounds yummy
Sara says
This looks great, I'm always looking for more spinach recipes.
vij says
Lovely pic! Simple n easy... beautiful colours!
Vicki says
Ooh, yum! What a delicious and simple way to round out a meal.
Divya Vikram says
Sounds easy n delicious.Great pic..