Best Spinach Saag Recipes

LAMB WITH SPINACH SAUCE (SAAG GOSHT)

Steps:

• Heat a heavy non-stick pan over high heat. Add the lamb and 3 tablespoons of oil. Sear the meat, turning and tossing, until nicely browned all over. Transfer meat to a plate. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the onion to the pan and cook, stirring often, until the onions are browned, about 15 minutes. Stir in the ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, red pepper, paprika, and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Add the tomato puree, meat, salt, and enough water to fully cover the meat, about 1 1/2 cups. Bring contents to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is cooked and very tender. Fold in the spinach and garam marsala. Serve sprinkled with cilantro.

SAAG (INDIAN SPINACH)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion in oil on medium high along with ginger and garam masala until onions are translucent and begin to pick up some color.
• Add minced garlic to pan, and cook briefly to soften. Do not allow the garlic to burn - lower heat if necessary.
• Add tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes. Incidentally, you can add a little more or less tomato depending on what you have available, slight differences in quantity will not be noticeable.
• Stir in yogurt. Do not worry if the yogurt separates.
• Add curry powder, coriander, cumin, sugar, and salt.
• Add bag of frozen spinach and mix well to combine. There is no need to defrost first if you use a the bagged spinach. If you are using the frozen block, I would advise defrosting first. You can also use the equivalent of fresh spinach.
• Add about a cup of water to the pot and cover. Simmer on medium for approximately 30 minutes. Spinach is done when the color has changed from the initial bright green to a much less vibrant green (almost brownish). If you crank up the heat, it is possible to cook this a little faster, but you have to pay attention to the moisture level. You may have to add more water throughout the cooking process if it cooks off.
• Once the spinach is fully cooked, remove the lid and cook off any remaining liquid. The spinach should be moist, but there should not be much liquid free in the bottom of the pan.
• Remove pan from heat.
• Using an immersion blender, blender, or food processor, puree the spinach. Leave it as chunky as you like. You can also choose to puree only half of the mixture if you like bigger pieces of spinach.
• Add further salt to taste.
• I have found that I have to fine tune the spices every time I make this dish depending on how I feel that day. For me, adding further small amounts of coriander is the key.
• If you like, potatoes, paneer cubes or chick peas may be added at this point.
• ***NOTE*** It is very helpful to prepare all ingredients in advance of cooking so that they can be added quickly during the cooking process. I recommend combining the components of each step beforehand (i.e. pre-measuring the spices together) so that you can just dump everything in quickly as you go.

LAMB WITH SPINACH (DILLI KA SAAG GOSHT)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over a medium-high flame.
• When hot, put in the peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, and cardamom pods.
• Stir for a second.
• Now put in the onions, garlic and ginger.
• Stir and fry until the onions develop brown specks.
• Now add the meat, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and 1q/2 of the salt.
• Stir and fry for a minute.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the yogurt.
• Stir and fry for a minute.
• Keep doing this until all yogurt has been incorporated.
• The meat should also have a slightly browned look.
• Add the spinach and the remaining salt.
• Stir to mix.
• Keep stirring and cooking until the spinach wilts completely.
• Cover tightly and simmer on low heat for about 1 hour or until meat is tender.
• Remove the lid and add the garam masala.
• Turn the heat to medium.
• Stir and cook another 5 minutes until most of the water in the spinach disappears and you have a thick, green sauce.
• Remove the whole spices and serve.

SAAG TOFU (INDIAN TOFU WITH SPINACH)

Steps:

• Cut tofu into thirds lengthwise and eighths crosswise. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring gently every 2 to 3 minutes, until browned on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the pan and reduce heat to medium. Add onion, garlic, ginger and mustard seeds and cook until the onion is translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add spinach in batches small enough to fit in the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until all the spinach has been added and has wilted, 4 to 6 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, combine yogurt, curry powder, cumin and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add to the pan along with the tofu and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.

LAMB IN PUREED SPINACH (SAAG GOSHT)

Steps:

• Remove fat and cut meat into cubes.
• Seal the meat by lightly browning in a saucepan (stir to prevent sticking) and then remove.
• At the same time, in a separate pan or wok, fry onion until golden in some ghee or oil, then add ginger, garlic and Spices 1.
• Add tomatoes after 5 minutes.
• Add the browned meat, add Spices 2 and the spinach.
• Stir it all about ensuring it doesn't stick and that the spinach is distributed throughout. (If it seems too dry add a little water.).
• Simmer until the meat is tender- about 45 to 60 minutes (although it will improve if cooked longer- just make sure it doesn't dry out, by adding water.).
• Add Spices 3 and fresh coriander and cook for at least another 10 minutes.
• Serve with Pullao/Basmati Rice.

SAAG PANEER (PANIR) - INDIAN SPINACH AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Fry the onions, garlic, ginger and spices in oil for around 5 minutes.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, making sure the heat is down to a simmer.
• Add the spinach and continue to simmer for a further 5 minutes.
• Add the paneer and yogurt and simmer for around 5 minutes.

KALE AND SPINACH SAAG

Steps:

• Place the ginger and garlic in a blender with 1/4 cup of water, and blend to a smooth paste.
• Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium-low heat, and scoop the ginger-garlic paste into the skillet. Sprinkle with garam masala, and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer the paste for about 15 minutes, checking to see that it hasn't cooked dry. Add more water if the mixture gets dried out. Stir in the spinach and kale, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens are bright green and limp, about 10 minutes.
• Place the milk and cottage cheese into the blender, and blend until smooth. Add a pinch of salt and nutmeg to the blender, and pulse again just to mix.
• Heat the ghee in a skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the onions until they are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir the cottage cheese mixture and the cooked onions into the skillet with the greens until well combined, let cool slightly, and place about half the saag into the blender. Pulse until smooth, return the blended mixture to the skillet, and stir well.

LAMB WITH SPINACH SAUCE (SAAG GOSHT)

Steps:

• Heat a heavy non-stick pan over high heat. Add the lamb and 3 tablespoons of oil. Sear the meat, turning and tossing, until nicely browned all over. Transfer meat to a plate. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the onion to the pan and cook, stirring often, until the onions are browned, about 15 minutes. Stir in the ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, red pepper, paprika, and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Add the tomato puree, meat, salt, and enough water to fully cover the meat, about 1 1/2 cups. Bring contents to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is cooked and very tender. Fold in the spinach and garam marsala. Serve sprinkled with cilantro

INDIAN SAAG PANEER (LOW FAT CHEESE WITH SPINACH)

Steps:

• Use cooking spray and heat garlic and ginger over medium-high heat till golden brown.
• Stir in tomato sauce, coriander, cumin, pepper, masala, salt, and reduce heat to low. Partially cover and summer for 8-9 minutes stirring frequently.
• Stir in spinach. Simmer 8-10 minutes until spinach turns olive green.
• Stir in whipping cream.
• Stir in cheese. Simmer for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is hot and remove from stove.

SAAG (INDIAN-STYLE KALE AND SPINACH)

Steps:

• Combine kale and spinach in a large soup pot over low heat. Cook just until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer greens to a blender a little at a time. Blend until finely shredded, but not pureed, adding a small amount of water if needed.
• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, serrano chile pepper, ginger, and garlic. Cook until onion is medium brown, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 1 minute more. Add kale mixture and salt and stir thoroughly. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 more minutes.

SPINACH AND FETA COOKED LIKE SAAG PANEER

Steps:

• In a large pan over medium heat, warm ¼ cup of the ghee (or oil). Once the ghee has melted (or the oil begins to shimmer), add the coriander and cardamom and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes, until the seeds start to brown. Add the onion and cook until it is translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the spinach and cook until it is just wilted, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the lime juice, green chile, and salt. Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and blend into a chunky paste. Return the spinach mixture to the same pan and set it over low heat. Stir in ½ cup water, then gently fold in the feta, being careful not to break up the cubes. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes more to soften the feta slightly and allow it to soak up some of the spinach sauce.
• While the feta cooks, in a small pan or butter warmer over medium-high heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons ghee (or oil) for 1 minute. Add the cumin seeds. As soon as (emphasis on as soon as-you don't want your cumin to burn!) the cumin seeds start to sputter and brown, about 1 minute max, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately add the asafetida (if using) and red chile powder.
• Pour all of the ghee (or oil) mixture into the spinach and feta once that is done cooking.
• Serve with rice or roti.

INDIAN STYLE SPINACH WITH FRESH CHEESE (SAAG PANEER) - COOK'S IL

Steps:

• Line a colander with a triple layer of cheesecloth and set in sink. Bring milk to boil in large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Whisk in buttermilk and salt and remove from heat. Let stand 1 minute. Pour through cheesecloth let drain 15 minutes.
• Pull together edges of cheesecloth to form pouch. Twist pouch, extracting as much liquid as possible. Place pouch between two plates and set a heavy pot on the top plate. Let stand at room temperature 45 minutes, or until cheese is firm and set. Drain whey as often as necessary. (Cheese can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated up to 3 days at this point.) Unwrap and dice cheese into 1/2" pieces.
• Place spinach in large bowl and microwave on high until wilted, about 3 minutes. Let cool until it can be handled.
• Chop enough spinach to make 1/2 cup and set aside. Place remaining spinach in blender container.
• Wilt mustard greens in same bowl in microwave, about 4 minutes. Let it cool until it can be handled.
• Chop enough mustard greens to make 1/2 cup and set aside with chopped spinach. Add remaining mustard greens to blender container.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds, coriander, paprika, cardamom, and cinnamon, and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onion and 3/4 tsp salt; cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, and jalapeno, and cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until pan is dry and tomatoes are beginning to brown, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer half the mixture to the blender.
• Add half the cashews and all the water to the blender. Process on high until smooth, about 1 minute. Add puree to skillet and return to medium-high heat. Add reserved greens and buttermilk and bring to simmer. Reduce to low, cover, and cook until flavors blend, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold in cheese cubes and cook until hot, 1-2 minutes. Serve sprinkled with remaining cashews and cilantro.

SPINACH AND FETA COOKED LIKE SAAG PANEER

Steps:

• In a large pan over medium heat, warm 1/4 cup of the ghee (or oil). Once the ghee has melted (or the oil begins to shimmer), add the coriander and cardamom and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes, until the seeds start to brown. Add the onion and cook until it is translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the spinach and cook until it is just wilted, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the lime juice, green chile, and salt. Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and blend into a chunky paste. Return the spinach mixture to the same pan and set it over low heat. Stir in 1/2 cup water, then gently fold in the feta, being careful not to break up the cubes. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes more to soften the feta slightly and allow it to soak up some of the spinach sauce.
• While the feta cooks, in a small pan or butter warmer over medium-high heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons ghee (or oil) for 1 minute. Add the cumin seeds. As soon as (emphasis on as soon as--you don't want your cumin to burn!) the cumin seeds start to sputter and brown, about 1 minute max, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately add the asafetida (if using) and red chile powder.
• Pour all of the ghee (or oil) mixture into the spinach and feta once that is done cooking. Serve with rice or roti.

SAAG KHUMB (SPINACH AND MUSHROOMS)

Steps:

• Place ginger, garlic and chile into food processor or blender with 1/4 cup water and puree.
• Heat 1-2 tablespoons ghee in a large skillet over medium heat; add mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5-10 minutes.
• Add puree and saute, stirring for 30 seconds-1 minute or until fragrant.
• Add spinach to pan and season to taste with salt, cooking for an additional minute.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is soft (10-15 minutes).
• Stir in garam masala, cayenne, cream, and a small amount of water if needed (to adjust consistency).
• Cover and simmer 5-10 minutes.
• Serve garnished with chopped cilantro (coriander), if desired, along with freshly steamed rice.

SPINACH SAAG

Steps:

• Boil spinach until most all of the water has boiled out, set aside. (Puree spinach in food processor or blender).
• Saute onions until golden. Add tomatoes, ginger and garlic. Mix well, add dry seasoning.
• Stir constantly until it thickens, then add spinach, mix well.
• Cook 2 minutes. Salt to taste.
• Turn off heat, add plain yogurt a little at a time.
• Serve with basmati rice.

SPINACH WITH TOMATO (SAAG)

Steps:

• Put the oil in a large, wide pot and set over medium-high heat. When very hot, put in the chile, onions and garlic. Stir and fry until the onions turn medium brown. Add the tomato. Stir and fry for 2 minutes. Now put in the spinach and salt. Cover, allowing the spinach to wilt. Stir, turn the heat to medium, cover again, and cook for 25 minutes. Uncover, add the garam masala, and stir. Cook, uncovered, another 5 to 6 minutes, or until almost no liquid is left is left at the bottom of the pan. Turn up the heat during this period, if needed.

SAAG CHOLE (SPINACH AND CHICKPEAS)

Steps:

• Slice the onions into thin half rounds. grate the ginger and garlic. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. add the cumin. When it darkens (1 to 2 seconds), add the grated ginger and garlic. Cook for 1 minute, then add the sliced onions and saute until lightly browned (about 8 minutes).
• Add the tomatoes and cook until soft (about 5 minutes). Add the coriander, turmeric, salt, and cayenne. Mix well, then add the spinach. Mix again, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in the chickpeas and cook for 5 more minutes. Add the garam masala and lemon juice; serve hot.

LAMB MINCE WITH SPINACH (KEEMA SAAG)

Steps:

• Mix spices together, and set aside.
• Over medium-high heat, heat oil in a large pan, adding in the onion, ginger, garlic and chilies. Saute until soft.
• Add spice mix to onion mixture, allowing to fry for 1 minute.
• Add tomato paste, incorporating well, and fry for 1 minute.
• Add ground lamb, mix well with mixture and allow to cook thoroughly. Carefully drain off any fat.
• Reduce heat and add water and spinach. Simmer for 30 minutes, being careful not to let lamb mixture go dry.
• Add yogurt, coriander, salt and lemon juice. If more heat is desired, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Simmer for a further 10 minutes.
• Once simmered, keema should have a paste-like consistency. If mixture is too wet, simply simmer uncovered until reduced.

SAAG PANNER OR ALOO SAAG (AKA SPINACH W/ CHEESE OR POTATES INDIAN STYLE)

Steps:

• 1. Stem and thoroughly wash spinach. 2. Set up steamer basket with spinach, fenugreek and peppers. Bring water to a boil and steam for 15 minutes. Alternative if you don't have a streamer is to boil ingredients in 2 inches of water. Be sure to save a small amount of water once greens are wilted. 3. Place wilted greens and peppers in food processor and rough pulse chop OR chop very finely by hand ensuring that you don't spill the water coming off the greens. 4. Transfer processed greens and peppers to bowl and mix in cornmeal. If mixture is very thick use a little of the water from steaming to thin it out. You don't want it to be runny, but it should not be super thick either. Set aside. 5. Chop onion, tomato and ginger. All spices can be combined as they will be add together. Items will be added fast to best to have everything prepped in advance. 6. Add 2-3 tablespoons of peanut oil to large skillet or wok and heat on medium high heat. 7. Add onion and saute until clear and browned on the edges. 8. Add ginger and saute for 1 minute. 9. Add tomato and saute until juice reduces slightly, approx 3 minutes 10. Add spinach mixture and all spices. Stir together and stir everything occasionally on medium low heat for 5 minutes.. 11. Add cubed paneer or cooked potato. 12. Cook for 5-10 minutes more. Serve over brown rice.

SAAG TOFU (TOFU WITH SPINACH, GINGER, CORIANDER AND TURMERIC)

Steps:

• Drain the tofu on paper towels. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a wok or a large, heavy lidded skillet and add the tofu. Stir-fry until golden brown and remove from the heat.
• Combine the shallot or onion and the ginger in a food processor or mini-chop and blend until finely minced, almost a paste.
• Heat the remaining oil over medium-high heat in a wok or skillet and add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds and whole chiles. Cook, stirring, for about 15 seconds, or until the spices are fragrant and reddish-brown. Add the onion and ginger and stir-fry until it is lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the coriander, salt, cayenne and turmeric, stir for about 10 seconds and add the spinach in batches, adding the next batch after the first batch wilts and stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
• Stir in the tofu, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes, until the spinach is uniformly wilted and the tofu is warmed through.
• Whisk the cornstarch into the yogurt. Remove the pan from the heat, remove the chilies, and stir in the yogurt. Taste, adjust salt and serve with rice or other grains.