Cheats Spiced Spinach Turmeric Potato Pilaf Recipes

SAAG ALOO

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp sunflower oil in a large pan, add 1 finely chopped onion, 2 sliced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp chopped ginger, and fry for about 3 mins.
• Stir in 500g potatoes, cut into 2cm chunks, 1 halved, deseeded and finely sliced red chilli, ½ tsp black mustard seeds, ½ tsp cumin seeds, ½ tsp turmeric and ½ tsp salt and continue cooking and stirring for 5 mins more.
• Add a splash of water, cover, and cook for 8-10 mins.
• Check the potatoes are ready by spearing with the point of a knife, and if they are, add 250g spinach leaves and let it wilt into the pan. Take off the heat and serve.

SPICED POTATOES AND SPINACH

Steps:

• In a large pot, cover the potatoes with cold water, add some salt then bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, until tender when pierced with a knife, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and the onion and cook until the onion has softened, about 2 minutes. Add the potatoes. Stir in the curry powder, then add the spinach and tomato. Cook and stir until the spinach has wilted and all the flavors have merged together, about 2 more minutes. Serve warm.

SPICY QUINOA AND SPINACH PULAO (PILAF)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large wok over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let sizzle for 30 seconds. Add garlic, ground cumin, coriander, chile powder, ginger, chile pepper, pav bhaji masala, and turmeric; saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in onion; saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cook until the tomato smell goes away. Mix in spinach; cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour water and quinoa into the wok. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed, 8 to 12 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and lemon wedges.

CHEAT'S SPICED SPINACH, TURMERIC & POTATO PILAF

Steps:

• Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Add the potatoes and cook for 6-7 mins. Drain and leave to steam-dry.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and fry over a low-medium heat for 15-20 mins or until golden and caramelised. Add the ginger, garlic, spices and curry powder, and cook for 1 min. Add the spinach, a handful at a time and stir until wilted. Stir through the rice and potatoes, and cook until warmed though. Season to taste, then stir through the mint and coriander.
• Serve the pilaf in bowls, scattered with the chilli, and the chutney and coconut yogurt on the side.

SPICED SPINACH & POTATO PASTY PIES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep frying pan that has a lid or in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Cook the cumin seeds in the oil for a few seconds until they start to crackle, then stir in the ginger and garlic, and cook for a minute more. Mix in the curry powder and cook for another minute. Stir through the potatoes until completely coated in the spice mix and cook for 4 mins.
• Pour about 75ml water over the potatoes and season with salt. Put the lid on and cook over a medium-high heat for 6-8 mins, until the potatoes are just cooked and most of the water has been absorbed. Add the spinach, cover the pan and cook for a minute. Remove the lid and cook for another 5 mins until the spinach is completely wilted and there's no liquid in the pan. Turn off the heat and season with the garam masala. Leave to cool. Will keep chilled for up to two days.
• To assemble the pies, mix the egg with the turmeric and a pinch of salt in a bowl and set aside. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a pound coin and cut out four circles about 12cm wide, arranging them on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Put a quarter of the potato mixture into the middle of each pastry circle, leaving a border. Re-roll the pastry offcuts, then cut out four more circles, about 8cm wide. Brush the borders of the larger pastry circles with the spiced egg, then drape the smaller circles over the potato filling. Pinch the borders to seal. Brush the pies with more of the spiced egg and scatter over a pinch of cumin seeds. Will keep frozen for up to two months. Defrost fully before baking.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and bake the pies for 30-35 mins until deep golden. Leave to cool a little, then enjoy warm or leave to cool completely and eat like a pasty with mango chutney or lime pickle. Will keep chilled for two days in an airtight container.