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Vegetarian, South and Southeast Asian

Saag aloo with chapatis

Saag aloo is an Indian dish of golden potatoes and garlicky spinach, served here with chapatis for 4 people. It takes 35 minutes, it's very easy, and it costs €1.30 per person. The key to success is browning the potatoes well before adding the spinach.

Tonight it's saag aloo, golden potatoes and garlicky spinach, with warm chapatis for scooping.

Saag aloo with chapatis
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.30
Calories per person
530 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Fall

Saag aloo plays on two distinct textures, tender potatoes under a golden crust, and wilted spinach that coats everything in garlic and warm spices. Toasted cumin in the oil scents the whole pan from the start, then turmeric and garam masala add color and warmth without ever tasting sharp.

This is a weeknight dish that stands on its own, no meat and no fussy sides, perfect for an evening when you want something hot and filling without spending hours at the stove. The chapatis, warmed in a dry pan, are there for scooping, which makes this a good dish to set in the middle of the table and share.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 700 g
  • Fresh spinach 600 g
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 1 tbsp

Pantry

  • Cumin seedsoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Garam masalaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Chapatis 8
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the potatoes into cubes and parboil them for 8 minutes in salted boiling water, then drain. 10 min

    They brown faster and more evenly afterward.

  2. Heat the oil with the cumin, add the potatoes and brown them over high heat. 10 min

    Stir only every other minute so they develop a crust.

  3. Add the sliced onion, garlic and ginger, let them brown, then stir in the turmeric and garam masala. 5 min

    The spices cook in the fat and release their aroma.

  4. Add the spinach by the handful, stirring until it wilts, season with salt and let it cook. 6 min

    Don't cover the pan, the spinach releases too much water.

  5. Warm the chapatis in a dry pan and serve. 3 min

    A squeeze of lemon over the saag aloo brightens all the flavors.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the potatoes well after parboiling, leftover moisture keeps them from browning properly in the pan.
  • Cut the potato cubes roughly the same size so they all brown at the same rate.
  • Add the spinach in batches rather than all at once, it wilts faster and cooks more evenly that way.

The variations

  • Swap the fresh spinach for frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained before adding it.
  • Add drained chickpeas along with the potatoes for a heartier dish that's still meat free.
  • For a quicker version, use potatoes boiled the day before, skipping the 8 minute parboil.

What to serve it with

  • A cucumber yogurt raita
  • A lemon wedge to squeeze
  • A spiced black tea

Storage

Saag aloo keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, without the chapatis, and reheats in a pan or microwave. Chapatis taste best reheated fresh in a dry pan just before serving.

Questions about this dish

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, use frozen chopped spinach. Thaw it and squeeze out the excess water before adding it, otherwise the dish turns watery.

Can saag aloo be made ahead?

Yes, it actually tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat it in a pan, serving it with freshly warmed chapatis.

Why parboil the potatoes before browning them?

Parboiling softens the inside, so you can brown them over high heat without drying them out. They crust faster and more evenly this way.

Can I serve this without chapatis?

Yes, saag aloo is also good with plain basmati rice. Chapatis are handy for scooping, but not essential.

How long does it take to make a saag aloo with chapatis?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a saag aloo with chapatis?

About 530 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a saag aloo with chapatis cost?

About €1.30 per serving, or €5.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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