Spinach Chaat
Spinach Chaat : Experiencing the culinary culture at every destination I visit fuels my love for cooking. Indian cookery is full of interesting and complex flavors — take this super-tasty chaat made with baby spinach. Despite being deep-fried, it’s a surprisingly light meal and I am only sorry I didn’t discover this recipe sooner.
Cook’s note: Place 3¼ cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn off heat, add 1 cup (160g) tamarind pulp to the hot water, cover, and allow to sit for 1 hour. Using your hands or a spoon, press the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and discard the fibrous leftovers. Tamarind purée can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a week, or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Ingredients for Spinach Chaat
- 1 teaspoon whole Nagauri Cumin
- ½ cup tamarind paste (see Cook’s Note)
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon powdered Guntur Sannam Chillies
- 1 teaspoon Chaat Masala
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar or roughly chopped jaggery, plus extra to taste
- ½ cup plain full-fat yogurt
- ½ teaspoon ground Nagauri Cumin
- ¼ teaspoon Chaat Masala
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup (95g) gram/besan flour
- 2 tablespoons rice flour
- 2 teaspoons Chaat Masala
- 2 ¼ teaspoon powdered Guntur Sannam Chillies
- ¾ cup water
- 3 to 4 cups canola oil, for frying
- 4 ounces (115g) baby spinach or baby kale
- ¼ red onion, finely chopped
- A few cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup fresh pomegranate arils
Methods for Spinach Chaat
- Heat a small dry pan and add the cumin seeds. Toast over a medium heat for 2–4 minutes. Tip onto a plate and allow to cool. Place the tamarind purée, water, toasted cumin seeds, chilli powder, chaat masala, salt, and brown sugar (or jaggery) in a blender and blitz for 2 minutes. Taste and adjust to your desired sweetness.
- Simply whisk together all the ingredients with 3 tablespoons water. Set aside, or refrigerate if making ahead.
- Combine the gram flour, rice flour, chaat masala, chilli powder, salt, and ¼ cup water in a bowl and whisk. Now add the remaining ½ cup water and whisk the batter until smooth and free of lumps.
- Heat the oil, about 7.5 cm (3 inches) deep in a wok or deep saucepan over medium-high heat. (Test the heat with a small drop of batter: if it falls to the bottom and pops up gradually, the oil is perfect; if the batter rises and browns too quickly the oil is too hot; and if the batter sinks and doesn’t rise, the oil is not hot enough.) Working in small batches to avoid overcrowding, dip the spinach leaves in the batter, then carefully lower the battered leaves into the pan in a single layer to cover the entire surface. (Be careful: the water content in the spinach may cause splattering.) Deep-fry for 2–3 minutes, using the spoon or skimmer to move the leaves around to prevent them from sticking together. Using the same tool, transfer the spinach to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Repeat the process until all the leaves are fried, ensuring that the oil temperature is maintained at all times.
- Transfer the deep-fried spinach to four plates. Drizzle 2 tablespoons each of sweet yogurt sauce and tamarind chutney over each plate. Garnish with the red onion
- n, tomatoes and pomegranate seeds, if using. Serve immediately before the spinach becomes soggy.
At 365 Spicery, we take pride in bringing the authentic flavors of India to your kitchen with our carefully sourced and curated spices. One of our favorite ways to showcase the versatility of these spices is through dishes like Spinach Chaat, a crispy and tangy snack that embodies the vibrancy of Indian street food. Spinach Chaat is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a healthy, refreshing dish that can be easily prepared with a few fresh ingredients and, of course, the right selection of spices.
Spinach leaves, lightly coated in gram flour and fried to perfection, form the crispy base of this delicious dish. What sets our Spinach Chaat apart is the flavorful burst of spices that elevate each bite. At 365 Spicery, we use our premium Nandini Coriander and Pragati Turmeric to infuse this snack with warmth and color, while Guntur Sannam Chillies add the perfect amount of heat. Our spices are handpicked from the finest farms, ensuring freshness, purity, and bold flavors.
Once the spinach leaves are fried to a crispy golden brown, they are topped with a variety of delicious ingredients that make the dish truly shine. Creamy yogurt adds a cooling contrast to the spice, while tangy tamarind chutney and spicy green chutney bring a burst of flavor. A sprinkle of chaat masala provides that signature zesty taste, while garnishes like chopped onions, tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, and sev add texture and visual appeal.
Spinach Chaat is the perfect balance of flavors and textures—crunchy, tangy, spicy, and sweet. Whether you’re preparing it as a quick snack for yourself or serving it as an appetizer at a gathering, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The health benefits of spinach combined with the flavor-packed punch of 365 Spicery’s premium spices make Spinach Chaat not just delicious but also a wholesome snack option.
At 365 Spicery, we are committed to delivering the finest spices directly from farm to table. Our dedication to quality ensures that every meal you prepare with our spices will be a flavorful success. Explore our extensive range of premium spices and bring the essence of authentic Indian flavors to your kitchen. Visit 365 Spicery today and transform your culinary creations!
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