Aloo Palak

My husband when he was a bachelor used to cook his food regularly. As he lived on his own, every night he would come and cook his curry (do read his description of how curries are all the same in this link). He will eat it with store bought tortilla (instead of roti) and mix the left over with some rice (oh just enough cooked in a pan, apparently he did not believe in using pressure cooker. don't ask me why). On days he was late from work, there is always Cafe Angelino where he would take out Eggplant Sub.

His pantry used to be so minimal. I still cannot believe the house I walked into. He still makes fun of me saying you really do not need all these ingredients to make dishes. I keep warning him that I will start cooking his style :-)

Anyways, this is one of the important dishes a bachelor can make. But to be honest, it is not the basic version. I have used masalas and stuff. I just don't know to make a dish with just chilli powder and salt :-)



Ingredients

Palak/Spinach 500gm bag
Potato 3 big
Onions 2
Tomato 3
Garam Masala 1 tsp
Cumin Powder 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder 1 tsp
Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Chilli Powder 1 tsp (i skipped it and made a mild one and my son was sooo happy. it tasted great without the added spice)
Cumin 1 tsp
Saunf 1 tsp
Bay leaf 2
Clove 3
Cinnamon 1 inch piece
(ginger and garlic paste can also be used. i skipped that as well as i did not have at home)

Oil and Salt to taste

Method of Preparation

1. Heat a little water in a pot. Add the spinach and wilt it. Do not be taken aback by the quantity of spinach. Once it wilts down, there will be hardly any. Once done, drain the spinach and add to a mixie. Once cooled, grind into a smooth paste. Keep the spinach cooked water.

2. Boil the potatoes. You can do it pressure cooker or shortcut in microwave as I do. Peal, roughly chop and keep ready.

3. Heat oil in a pan. Add Cumin, Saunf, Bay leaf, Clove, Cinnamon and let it sizzle.

4. Add chopped onions and saute till it is nice and brown.

5. Add tomatoes (finely chopped) and cook till it is well done. Add a few tbsp of water if needed to prevent from sticking.

6. Add Garam Masala, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Turmeric and Chilli Powder. Mix well and cook for a few more minutes.

7. Add the cooked potatoes and salt. Mix well.

8. Add the spinach puree and a little water to adjust the thickess. You can also add some cream or milk to it if you want.

9. Simmer for  a few minutes.

Serve with some warm rotis.