Saag (Indian Creamed Greens)

Silky pureed greens with butter and spices — the base for saag paneer.

Ingredients

• 1 lb spinach (or mix of spinach, mustard greens, fenugreek leaves)
• 2 tbsp butter or ghee
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 1 green chile, minced
• 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp cream
• Salt

Method

1. Blanch greens 2 min, shock in ice water. Squeeze very dry. Blend to a coarse puree.

2. Sauté onion in butter 5 min. Add garlic, ginger, chile — 1 min.

3. Add spices — bloom 30 sec.

4. Add green puree. Simmer 10 min.

5. Stir in cream. Season.

6. Serve with naan or rice. Add cubed paneer for saag paneer.

What You're Practicing

• Blanching then blending the greens creates the signature silky texture.
• Mustard greens add a peppery bite that pure spinach lacks — the mix is traditional.
• This is the base for saag paneer — just add fried paneer cubes.