This is an authentic, tasty and easy recipe of Punjabi style Palak Saag that can be made in microwave oven and also on the stovetop. Serve Spinach Saag with any Indian flat bread of your choice for a comforting and hearty meal.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 35 minutes
  • Total time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Punjabi

Ingredients

  • 2 bunches spinach ((palak), chopped)
  • 2 to 3 radish (- small to medium sized with tender leaves (mooli), chopped)
  • ¾ to 1 cup onions (- chopped or 1 large onion)
  • 1.5 cups tomatoes (- chopped or 2 to 3 medium-sized tomatoes)
  • 1 teaspoon green chili (- chopped or 1 green chilli)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (- chopped or 1 inch peeled ginger)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic (- chopped or 5 to 6 small to medium garlic cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder (or paprika)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon maize flour ((makki ka atta) or cornmeal)
  • ½ cup water (for microwave and 1 cup water for cooking on stovetop, can add water as needed)
  • salt (as required)
  • ⅓ cup onion (- finely chopped or 1 medium-sized onion)
  • ½ teaspoon green chillies (chopped, or 1 small green chilli, optional)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped ginger (- optional)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons ghee ((clarified butter))

Method

Preparing the Saag

  1. Combine all the greens, onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, chillies with water in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 7 to 8 minutes on high power.
  2. Add the butter, maize flour, salt and chilli powder.
  3. Microwave again on medium power for 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  4. When cooled, blend the whole mixture coarsely or smoothly, depending on what you prefer.
  5. Microwave the pureed mixture for 4 to 5 minutes on medium power.

Preparing the Tempering for 2 to 3 servings

  1. In another microwave safe bowl, take some ghee and microwave on full power for 1 minute or until the ghee is lightly hot.
  2. Add the onions and microwave for 7 to 8 minutes till they get light browned.
  3. Add the 2 to 3 cups of saag (use a measuring cup) to the lightly browned onions and microwave for further for 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Top the Palak Saag with homemade butter and serve with any flat bread of your choice.
  5. Keep the remaining saag in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. You can also freeze the spinach saag for about a week.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.