By Ujjainee Roy
September 27, 2024
While saag is commonly enjoyed in its milder forms, it can also be prepared with a fiery kick to satisfy those who enjoy spicy foods. The heat in these dishes comes from a blend of spices, chilies, and aromatic ingredients that enhance the natural flavors of the greens. Here are a few spicy saag dishes that bring a bold and flavorful twist to this beloved classic and can liven up your monsoon table.
Saag Paneer is a classic dish where paneer (Indian cottage cheese) is cooked in a spicy spinach gravy. The spinach is sautéed with onions, garlic, ginger, and green chilies before being pureed and combined with paneer. The heat is balanced with the creamy texture of the paneer, and additional spices like cumin, coriander etc
Saag Aloo features potatoes cooked with spiced spinach. The potatoes are first sautéed with cumin seeds, onions, and green chilies, then combined with spinach cooked with turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala. This dish offers a hearty and spicy twist to the traditional saag.
Saag Gosht is a spicy, savory dish combining tender pieces of lamb with a rich spinach gravy. The lamb is cooked with a blend of spices, including chili powder, black pepper, and cinnamon, and then simmered with spinach to create a deeply flavored and spicy curry.
Saag Bhaji is a spicy variation of saag that includes a mix of greens like mustard greens, fenugreek, and spinach. The greens are cooked with onions, garlic, green chilies, and a combination of spices like cumin, coriander, and red chili powder, resulting in a robust and spicy dish.
Saag Chicken combines boneless chicken pieces with a spicy spinach gravy. The chicken is first cooked with garlic, ginger, and green chilies, then simmered with a spiced spinach puree made with ingredients like red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala, making for a flavorful and spicy curry.
Saag Dal is a spicy lentil and spinach dish. Lentils are cooked with a spicy mixture of onions, tomatoes, garlic, and green chilies, then combined with sautéed spinach and seasoned with spices like cumin, coriander, and red chili powder. This dish is both nutritious and spicy.