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, thoughts of food were 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 much rather have a simple home-cooked meal than being flattered by a flambe of sorts. 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 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.
ALU PALAK (SAUTEED SPINACH WITH POTATOES)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp light cooking oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 2-3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely sliced
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp 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.
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
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Was super impressed at how this turned out!!
This was absolutely great and very easy to make, thank you for the recipe 🙂
it’s my one of favourite. And also it is very simple to cook. thanks for sharing.
love this recipe. i added methi (fenugreek) and it was great.
Hi Meena, I am big fan of Spinach. Its mouth watering…
I’ve been looking for this recipe. Looks great!
Simple yet tastes great and is healthy as well.
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!
Spinach is my favorite veggie…definitely giving this one a try!
Wow! Looks tasty & yummy and a must try.
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.
This looks great. Simple and nutritious!
Hey Meena
The pic is awesome, and nothing to beat the comfort of palak aloo….for some close friends
Lovely blog. Great recipes. Already tried out Alu Palak . It was fabulous.
I know what I am making for dinner. Thanks for the inspiration and the recipe. I LOVE your blog.
Such great recipes deserve an award! And it’s waiting for you on my blog 🙂
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
I love this dish. Try a squirt of lemon next time. It really lifts the dish.
Simple yet yummy! the pic looks so delish Meena..:)
Hope you had a great time with your friends.
Cheers,
Siri
aloo palak is one of my favourites…..the colours in this picture are fabulous….lemm go wipe the drool off the keyboard!!
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
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!
this sounds easy. I make spinach a lot so I will try it this way. thanks!
Hey!
I am inspired… we’re having Aloo Palak for dinner, spiced with some East Indian Bottle Masalla!
I just stumbled across your blog. You have an awesome blog and an amazing writing style. I love the simplicity of your recipes.
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.
I’ve just ordered saag aloo from the local takeaway. Yours looks much more delicious!
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!
Awesome!!! Sounds yummy
This looks great, I’m always looking for more spinach recipes.
Lovely pic! Simple n easy… beautiful colours!
Ooh, yum! What a delicious and simple way to round out a meal.
Sounds easy n delicious.Great pic..