Flavorful Saag Aloo with Spiced Potatoes
This delightful Saag Aloo is a beautifully spiced dish that successfully disguises its healthy greens, making it a hit even among picky eaters. Adapted from a favorite local Indian restaurant dish and inspired by curryfrenzy.com, this flavorful recipe features tender potatoes enveloped in a smooth, aromatic spinach sauce, seasoned with a blend of spices that bring a warm, comforting flavor. Ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests, the addition of thick yogurt adds creaminess while balancing the spices perfectly. Your loved ones will savor every bite, and even your vegetable-weary child might just become a fan of greens!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
medium potatoes
4 (quarter)
curry massalla gravy
3 tablespoons
thick yogurt
2 tablespoons
onion
1/2 (coarsely chopped)
curry powder
3 teaspoons ((hot or medium))
hot chili powder
1 teaspoon
hot green chili peppers
2 (finely chopped with seeds)
garlic cloves
4 (crushed)
gingerroot
2 teaspoons (grated)
vegetable oil
5 tablespoons
coriander leaves
10 tablespoons (roughly chopped)
whole coriander leaves
1 tablespoon
spinach leaves
300 g (coarsely chopped)
garam masala
1 teaspoon
butter
1 ounce
turmeric
1 teaspoon
sugar
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (to taste)
water
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
Begin by par-boiling the quartered potatoes in salted water with turmeric for about 10-15 minutes, ensuring they remain slightly undercooked by about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2
In a small bowl, mix the curry powder, garam masala, and chili powder with a little water to form a paste. Set aside.
3
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the coarsely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
4
Add the crushed garlic, grated ginger, and finely chopped green chilies to the onion. Stir-fry on medium heat for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
5
Incorporate the prepared curry paste into the pan, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
6
Gently add the par-boiled potatoes, curry massalla gravy, thick yogurt, and chopped spinach. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach reduces and the mixture is well combined.
7
Stir in the knob of butter and sugar, and adjust salt to taste.
8
Finally, add the roughly chopped coriander leaves, cooking for an additional minute to infuse the flavors.
9
Serve hot, garnished with whole coriander leaves for a fresh touch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flavorful Saag Aloo?
Flavorful Saag Aloo is a classic Indian dish featuring tender potatoes enveloped in a smooth, aromatic spinach sauce seasoned with a warm blend of spices.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
The potatoes should be quartered and par-boiled in salted water with turmeric for about 10-15 minutes until they are slightly undercooked.
What spices are used to make the curry paste?
The spice paste is made by mixing curry powder, garam masala, and chili powder with a little water.
How long should I saute the onions?
The coarsely chopped onion should be sauteed in vegetable oil for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.
When do I add the garlic and ginger?
Add the crushed garlic and grated ginger after the onions have become translucent, then stir-fry for an additional 5 minutes.
What role does yogurt play in this recipe?
The thick yogurt adds a creamy texture to the dish while helping to balance the heat of the spices.
How much spinach is needed for Saag Aloo?
You will need 300 grams of coarsely chopped spinach leaves.
What is the final step before serving?
Stir in the roughly chopped coriander leaves and cook for one more minute, then garnish with whole coriander leaves.
Why is turmeric added to the potato water?
Turmeric is added to the water while par-boiling the potatoes to give them a vibrant color and subtle flavor.
Is this Saag Aloo recipe spicy?
Yes, it contains hot chili powder, green chili peppers, and curry powder, though the heat is balanced by yogurt.
What type of oil is recommended?
The recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
While fresh spinach is recommended, frozen spinach can be used if thawed and drained thoroughly first.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe requires 4 crushed garlic cloves.
What is the purpose of adding sugar?
A small amount of sugar (1/2 teaspoon) is added at the end to adjust the seasoning and balance the acidity.
What kind of potatoes should I use?
The recipe specifies 4 medium potatoes, which should be quartered before cooking.
How long should the spinach simmer?
The spinach should simmer with the potatoes and gravy for about 5 minutes until it reduces.
What is curry massalla gravy?
It is a prepared base sauce used to provide deep flavor and consistency to the potato and spinach mixture.
How much coriander is needed?
The recipe uses 10 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves plus an extra tablespoon of whole leaves for garnish.
Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, Saag Aloo is a vegetarian dish, though it contains dairy products like yogurt and butter.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To make it vegan, replace the yogurt with a plant-based alternative and use oil instead of butter.
What type of green chilies are used?
The recipe calls for 2 hot green chili peppers, finely chopped with the seeds included.
How much ginger is required?
You should use 2 teaspoons of grated gingerroot.
When do I add the butter?
A knob of butter (1 ounce) is stirred in near the end of the cooking process to add richness.
How much salt is used?
The recipe suggests 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, or more to taste.
Is Saag Aloo a healthy dish?
Yes, it is considered a healthy recipe as it includes a significant amount of nutrient-dense spinach.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 19 specific ingredients required for this flavorful recipe.
Can I adjust the curry powder?
Yes, you can use either hot or medium curry powder depending on your heat preference.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Curries.
Should I peel the potatoes?
The recipe doesn't specify peeling, but for a smoother texture in Saag Aloo, potatoes are typically peeled before quartering.