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Chana Saag (Indian Chickpea and Spinach Curry

Savory Chana Saag: Delicious Indian Chickpea & Spinach Curry

Chana Saag (Indian Chickpea and Spinach Curry) is a flavorful, vegan, and gluten-free dish that's perfect for health-conscious eaters.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Curry Base
  • 2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas the heart of the dish
  • 4 cups chopped spinach fresh or frozen
  • 2 medium tomatoes diced or use tomato puree
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 tablespoons oil any cooking oil with high smoke point
  • to taste salt to balance flavors
For the Aromatics & Spices
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 piece ginger grated
  • 1 medium green chili chopped, or substitute with jalapeño
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric a little goes a long way
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder to taste
For Added Creaminess
  • 1/2 cup cashew cream optional; coconut cream can be substituted
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice recommended for additional flavor

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • blender or food processor
  • pan

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat; add chopped onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chili. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  2. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon each of ground cumin, coriander powder, turmeric, along with 1 tablespoon of garam masala and salt. Stir for 1-2 minutes to bloom the spices.
  3. Add 4 cups of chopped spinach and cook for 5-6 minutes until wilted.
  4. Transfer the spinach mixture to a blender, adding water if needed, and blend until smooth.
  5. In another pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and add diced tomatoes, sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft.
  6. To the pan with tomatoes, add 2 cups of cooked chickpeas and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of red chili powder. Add 1 cup of water and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
  7. Stir in the spinach paste and let everything simmer on low for another 3-4 minutes.
  8. Optional: Stir in 1/2 cup of cashew cream and heat through before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 400mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 10gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2800IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 5mg

Notes

For the best results, use tender chickpeas and monitor the sautéing time of spices to avoid bitterness.

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