Food is just not consuming energy, but with a great recipe, it is an unforgettable experience.
When we hear that mother is cooking Spinach for dinner, some might think of ordering something else. I would say, think again.
This Afghan Spinach recipe is going to change your perspective and make you crave more!
Popularly known as Qorma-e-Sabzi, as the name suggests, Afghan Spinach is native to the lands of Afghanistan. Cooked slowly on medium heat, it is not the Spinach that your kids run away from, but a decadent cuisine that everyone loves, nobody would want to share, and your kids might even want a second serving; every mom’s dream!
Afghan Spinach Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/5 tbsp Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil Extra Virgin
- 1 bunch Green Onions Chopped (Green & White Parts)
- 1/5 tbsp Fenugreek Optional
- 1 pound Spinach Chopped
- 1/5 tbsp Dried Dill
- 1 tbsp Ground Coriander
- 2 dashes Ground Cayenne
- 1/4 cup Chopped Cilantro
- 1/4 tbsp Crushed Black Pepper
- 1/5 tbsp Salt (To Taste)
- 10 drops Lemon Juice Optional
- 1 cup Water (To Cook)
Instructions
- Take a deep pan or wokand heat the oil on a medium-high flame; asthe oil gets hot, sauté the chopped onions until nice and tender. (for about6-7 minutes)
- If you like fenugreek,add it now and cook for another minute. Skip this step if you hate fenugreek.
- Add the chopped andfrozen Spinach on medium heat, keep stirring at regular intervals until theSpinach completely defrosts, and let it come to a boil (for about 15 -20minutes). The defrosted Spinach producesthe liquid and boils in it. However, if this does not happen, add a 1/4thcup of water.
- Once the Spinachcompletely boils and is nice and soft, add the remaining ingredients and keepstirring for another 10 to 15 minutes. We want the liquid to decrease orevaporate until the Spinach comes together and looks dark green but do not letit dry out, or it could burn or become thick and mushy instead of creamy.
- Finally, to add moreflavor, add the chicken or vegetable broth, let it cook for a while, and now itis time to enjoy a decadent meal!
- You can top the dishwith melted butter or pure ghee while serving;the smell will bring everyone running to the table. Add the side dish you haveprepared and enjoy a healthy family meal.
Recommended Ingredients
Afghan Spinach; Qorma-e-Sabzi
Low in carbs, high in vitamins and iron, this Afghan delicacy is flavorful and highly nutritious; it is food for the whole family because everyone can eat it. Side it up with kebabs, rice, or even braised pumpkin to turn it into a great and healthy meal that does not even temper your diet!
Hence, if you are looking for a family’s “detox” meal after days of high-calorie meals and unhealthy munching, bring this native Afghani dish to your table.
Afghan Spinach- No needs to worry about the calories!
Everyone strives for healthy food that tastes good too.
With a caloric value of 225 in a 100 grams serving of Afghan Spinach, this great meal only has 2% carbs with a high value of Vitamin A 47%, Proteins 12%, and Iron 17%.
If you are a vegan or adapting to a healthier eating lifestyle, you have to try it.
What is the best side dish with Afghan Spinach?
Everyone loves to go a little fancy and add some extra flavor to their meals.
To turn this meal into a mouth-watering cuisine, you can add many side dishes such as other vegetable dishes, flatbread, rice (Pulau), Greek yogurt, grilled kebabs, or roast chicken.
However, nothing beats a freshly cooked Afghan Spinach along with a warm pita or garlic naan to scoop the goodness out of your plate into your mouth!
What oil substitute is the best to make it healthier?
By controlling the quantity and quality of the ingredients, you can make any meal tastier and healthy. For this recipe, I have used extra-virgin olive oil to make it healthier. However, you can use any vegetable oil that you prefer.
Can you store this vegan-friendly meal?
I recommend eating it fresh and hot. However, when you are short on time and might not prepare a healthy meal over the next few days. You can prepare a second batch and store it in the back of your refrigerator for a week and in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.
Tips to add more deliciousness to Afghan Spinach
- Use organic Spinach if available, but frozen, chopped leaf spinach available in a bag does the job. However, you would want to avoid the big spinach popsicles that come compressed in a box.
- Cook on medium-high heat with timely stirring to bring out the colors and flavor of the Spinach.
- Only add fenugreek if you like the flavor of it.
- If you are still adjusting to the healthier lifestyle and simple vegetable makes you cringe, you can add 1 cup of vegetable or chicken broth to the Spinach in the end and then cook it for another 20 minutes or so.
- Add warm pita bread or yogurt or any other side dish you prefer to enjoy a wholesome meal/
You are what you eat!
Let the food become your medicine, and the medicine shall be the food.
This aromatic, mouth-watering delicacy will take you on a journey of food deliciousness, and next time you want to plan to have a cheat meal, just remind your taste buds of the goodness of this Afghan Spinach Recipe you tried!
I am a yogi with a smoldering passion for nutrition and healthy living. I have been a Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach for over 11 years and now I want to help you. My mission is to inspire as many people as I can to expand their awareness and broaden their horizons by giving a voice to the choices that create abundant, radiant health. Here I share deliciously simple plant-based recipes, nutrition resources, detox tips, and a glimpse into my whole lifestyle.
