Spinach is a wonderful winter vegetable, and if you haven’t tried it yet in all its delicious forms, now is the time. Sure, we all know the classic palak paneer, palak aloo, palak ka saag and even palak paratha, but today we have something different – palak masala chana. This delicious, healthy curry is exactly what your winter dinners need. It’s full of flavor, it’s highly nutritious, and it’s a great way to add some variety to your diet. Spinach is already a powerhouse of iron, and when you eat it with black gram, you double the health benefits. Black gram is high in protein and fiber, both of which are great for weight loss. So, yes – this curry is your new best friend for both taste and health. Let’s take a look at the recipe!
Read also: 5 amazing benefits of spinach that you never knew
Palak Masala Chana Recipe: How To Make Palak Masala Chana
First things first, soak your chana overnight or for about 4-5 hours. After soaking, put them in a pressure cooker with some salt and cook for 5-6 whistles. While that’s cooking, wash and boil the spinach, then blend it into a smooth paste.
Next, check the chickpeas to make sure they are cooked. Now grind three onions and make a paste and do the same with tomato and ginger-garlic. Pro tip: Mixing everything into a paste makes the curry extra delicious!
Heat some oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and a pinch of asafoetida. Then add onion paste to it and fry it a little. After this, add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute and then add tomato paste. Let it cook for two minutes before adding red chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder and salt. Stir it all up and let the flavors meld together.
When your spices start giving a nice aroma, add boiled gram to the pan. Mix them with spices and cook for a few minutes. Then, add spinach puree and mix everything together. Cover the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once it is cooked, turn off the flame and sprinkle some garam masala on top. Garnish with fresh coriander.
For added flavour, finish it off with tadka! Finely chop some garlic, heat some desi ghee in a pan and fry the garlic along with two whole red chillies and some Kasuri methi. Let it cook for about two minutes, then pour it over the curry and cover the pan again.
After a few minutes, remove the lid, and get ready for a mouth-watering experience! Serve this Palak Masala Chana with roti, paratha, puri or rice for a nutritious meal. This winter, enjoy this delicious dish and enjoy a cozy, comforting dinner.
