Description
Chana Saag is a flavorful Indian curry combining tender chickpeas with nutritious spinach and a blend of aromatic spices. This wholesome dish offers a perfect balance of protein and greens, ideal for a vegan or vegetarian meal. It’s delicious served with basmati rice or naan bread and can be prepared on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Legumes and Greens
- 3 cups chickpeas (cooked or canned)
- 12 ounces spinach
Vegetables
- 1 cup tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
- 2 green chili (or jalapeno)
- 1/2 cup water
Spices and Flavorings
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garlic (grated or finely chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger (grated or finely chopped)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust according to taste)
Others
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp cashew cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Onion and Spice Base: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions, ginger, garlic, and sliced green chilies or jalapeno for a milder heat. Cook until onions turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Ground Spices: Stir in turmeric powder, ground cumin, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well, ensuring spices don’t burn. If pan is too hot, add a tablespoon of water to prevent burning.
- Cook Spinach: Add finely chopped spinach to the pan. Cook on medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes until fully wilted and no water remains. If using other greens, cook longer as needed.
- Make Spinach Paste: Allow spinach mixture to cool slightly, then blend into a coarse or smooth paste according to preference. Set aside.
- Prepare Tomato-Chickpea Mixture: Heat remaining oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven. Add chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes until soft.
- Add Chickpeas and Simmer: Add cooked chickpeas and red chili powder to the tomatoes. Pour in 1/2 cup water, stir and simmer on low heat for 4-5 minutes.
- Combine Spinach Paste: Add spinach paste to the chickpea mixture. Adjust water to desired consistency and simmer for another 3-4 minutes.
- Optional Thickening: For a thicker consistency, traditionally maize flour is used, or stir in 2 tablespoons cashew cream and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve: Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread for a satisfying meal.
- Instant Pot Version – Saute Base: Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat oil. Add onions, ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt. Stir well.
- Add Chickpeas and Water: Mix in cooked chickpeas and 1/2 cup water. Deglaze pot if needed to avoid burning.
- Pressure Cook: Close lid and set Instant Pot to manual/pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. After cooking, wait 5 minutes then manually release pressure.
- Add Greens: Open lid and add chopped spinach or other greens. Sauté for 2-3 minutes for spinach or 5 minutes for tougher greens, until cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off Instant Pot and serve chana saag hot with rice or bread.
Notes
- For a thicker texture, incorporate 1-2 tablespoons maize flour into the spinach paste before mixing with chickpeas.
- Use jalapeno instead of green chili for a milder dish.
- Adjust salt and spice levels according to taste preference.
- Cashew cream is optional but adds a creamy texture to the curry.
- Ensure spinach is well cooked and wilted to avoid excess water in the dish.
- Feel free to substitute with other leafy greens such as mustard greens or kale for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sauté and Simmer (Stovetop or Instant Pot)
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Chana Saag, Indian Chickpea Curry, Spinach Chickpeas Curry, Vegan Indian Recipe, Gluten Free Indian Curry
