Difference between revisions of "Feather's Delicious Curried Spinach and Potato Dish"

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(Moved the pictures around to keep consistency with other pages. Also removed some space at the top.)
 
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Originally posted [http://archives.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1459802 here] by Feather.   
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[[Category:Spinach]]
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[[Category:Potato]]
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[[Category:Garlic]]
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[[Category:Chick Pea]]
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[[Category:Vegetarian]]
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[[Category:Dinner]]
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[[Category:Curry]]
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Originally posted [http://archives.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1459802 here] by Feather.  I added some tofu and it worked out OK.
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[[Image:feather_curry_done.jpg]]
  
 
Oh my little droogies I have been wanting to contribute to the slate of cooking before they get (too) old, so I offer up this little gem from the depths of my cooking dungeons:
 
Oh my little droogies I have been wanting to contribute to the slate of cooking before they get (too) old, so I offer up this little gem from the depths of my cooking dungeons:
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 +
'''Potato and Spinach Curry with Chickpeas'''
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Prep time: 30-45 minutes. Total cost for all ingredients: ~US$10, most of which was the new jar of paste and the mustard seeds. Serves 8 regular sized people (give or take), or 4-6 internet nerds.
  
 
== Ingredients ==
 
== Ingredients ==
 
[[ Image:feather_curry_ingredients.jpg|right]]
 
  
 
* 1 Medium Onion
 
* 1 Medium Onion
* 6 cloves garlic<sup>1</sup>
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* 6-8 cloves garlic<sup>1</sup>
 
* 12-14 oz of fresh spinach (you can find this in a bag at your grocery store, usually, or with the other veggies where you can bag it yourself).
 
* 12-14 oz of fresh spinach (you can find this in a bag at your grocery store, usually, or with the other veggies where you can bag it yourself).
 
* 2 large potatoes, peeled, diced, and rinsed.
 
* 2 large potatoes, peeled, diced, and rinsed.
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* 2 tbsp Curry Paste (to your desired spicey-ness; I prefer very hot, but had to cook this dish for people that can't take it, so you'll see "Mild" here instead)
 
* 2 tbsp Curry Paste (to your desired spicey-ness; I prefer very hot, but had to cook this dish for people that can't take it, so you'll see "Mild" here instead)
 
* 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
 
* 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
* 2 tbsp vegetable oil
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* 2-3 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
 
* 2 cups of water
 
* 2 cups of water
 
* A few small fresh limes<sup>2</sup>
 
* A few small fresh limes<sup>2</sup>
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* 1 block tofu (optional)
  
''1: If you hate garlic, reduce this number; the original recipe I was given calls for 2 cloves. I, however, could eat garlic much as I would an apple if it didn't sting so badly, so I chose to use a little more.
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[[Image:feather_curry_ingredients.jpg|Note that I have already peeled the potatoes and diced one!]]
2: If you aren't a big fan of the salty-sweet flavor of lime, use just one; the idea is to give it a "hint" of the flavor.''
 
 
 
Here's a collection of ingredients I assembled:
 
  
Note that I have already peeled the potatoes and diced one!
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''1: If you hate garlic, reduce this number; the original recipe I was given calls for 2 cloves. I, however, could eat garlic much as I would an apple if it didn't sting so badly, so I chose to use a little more.  Save 2 of the cloves for cooking the tofu if you are going that route.''
  
Usually I make the curry paste myself, but didn't have the time this time so I bought some from my local Indian grocer when I picked up the mustard seeds:
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''2: If you aren't a big fan of the salty-sweet flavor of lime, use just one; the idea is to give it a "hint" of the flavor.''
  
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== Method ==
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Roughly chop the onion and crush the garlic.
  
 
Place a large, deep frying pan on medium heat and let it warm up.
 
Place a large, deep frying pan on medium heat and let it warm up.
  
First, wilt the spinach over low-medium heat. Do not fucking cook the spinach, just wilt it goddamnit. It looks like this when you stick it by handfuls into a pan:
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Wilt the spinach in another pan over low-medium heat. Do not cook the spinach, just wilt it. It looks like this when you stick it by handfuls into a pan:
  
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[[Image:feather_curry_spinach.jpg]]
  
 
You'll want to sprinkle teaspoonfuls of water into the pan between batches maybe, depending on your cookware. Don't use oils or anything else.
 
You'll want to sprinkle teaspoonfuls of water into the pan between batches maybe, depending on your cookware. Don't use oils or anything else.
  
It looks like this when you are all done:
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The spinach should be a rich green and just wilted but not shrivelled, i.e. not cooked.
 
 
Note how the spinach is a rich green and just wilted but not shrivelled, i.e. not cooked
 
 
 
I hope you've peeled your garlic and onion! Now roughly chop the onion and crush the garlic (if you're a poor college student, like me, with no budget and three pieces of kitchenware for cutting and eating, you accomplish this efficiently by placing the flat of a blade atop a single clove and tapping it slightly with a hammer until the garlic is crushed):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Next, pour the vegetable oil into the large frying pan and let it heat for about half a minute or so. Fry the crushed garlic and onion for 5 minutes:
 
  
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Remove the pan of spinach from heat and set aside.
  
Now we stir in the paste and mustard seeds and fry for 1-2 minutes:
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Next, pour the vegetable oil into the large frying pan and let it heat for about half a minute or so. Fry the crushed garlic and onion for 5 minutes
  
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Now stir in the paste and mustard seeds and fry for 1-2 minutes.
  
I have a weakness here. Sometimes I'll take a spoonful of this mixture and eat it. Because it's fucking crack, I tell you. Anyway, onward into our cooking journey!
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I have a weakness here. Sometimes I'll take a spoonful of this mixture and eat it. Because it's crack, I tell you. Anyway, onward into our cooking journey!
  
 
Cook the Basmati rice as usual, and start now (you have to boil the water then stir in the rice, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes).
 
Cook the Basmati rice as usual, and start now (you have to boil the water then stir in the rice, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes).
  
Dump the diced potatoes into the frying pan and pour the water (both cups) in. Then stir so everything's nicely coated and covered. The water should just top the potatoes:
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Dump the diced potatoes into the frying pan and pour the water (both cups) in. Then stir so everything's nicely coated and covered. The water should just top the potatoes.
 
 
Bring to the boil and let cook 20-25, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are almost tender (don't cook until they're done). You can test this by sticking a :fork: into one of the pieces of potato; if it slides very easily into the piece or the piece falls apart you've overcooked it.
 
 
 
Here's what it looks like when it gets to "the boil:"
 
 
 
The water will evaporate and be absorbed into the potatoes over time. It's about halfway done here:
 
  
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Bring to the boil and let cook 20-25, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are almost tender (don't cook until they're done). You can test this by sticking a fork into one of the pieces of potato; if it slides very easily into the piece or the piece falls apart you've overcooked it.
  
 
At about the 20 or 25 minute mark most of the potatoes should be at least halfway visible:
 
At about the 20 or 25 minute mark most of the potatoes should be at least halfway visible:
  
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[[Image:feather_curry_mostlydone.jpg]]
  
Now we stir in the spinach:
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Now we stir in the spinach and then the garbanzo beans:
  
And then the garbanzo beans:
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[[Image:feather_curry_nearlydone.jpg]]
  
Cook this for about 5-7 minutes, stirring a few times. While this is happening, you should be able to remove the rice from the simmer and let it begin to cool slightly. Also, slice your lime(s) in half:
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Cook this for about 5-7 minutes, stirring a few times. While this is happening, you should be able to remove the rice from the simmer and let it begin to cool slightly. Also, slice your lime(s) in half.
  
The final step before serving is to squeeze the lime juice in and then stir it:
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If you'd like to add tofu, you can cube it now and sautee it in a tbsp of oil and 2 crushed cloves of garlic.  Once the tofu is lightly browned, add it to the rest of the stuff.
  
(Note the bit of spinach and shit around the pan, demonstrating my lack of dexterity for the world to laugh at.)
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The final step before serving is to squeeze the lime juice in and then stir it.
  
 
The final dish, served over rice, looks something like this:
 
The final dish, served over rice, looks something like this:
  
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[[Image:feather_curry_done.jpg]]
  
Prep time: 30-45 minutes. Total cost for all ingredients: ~US$10, most of which was the new jar of paste and the mustard seeds. Serves 8 regular sized people (give or take) and 4-6 internet nerds. :v:
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Prep time: 30-45 minutes. Total cost for all ingredients: ~US$10, most of which was the new jar of paste and the mustard seeds. Serves 8 regular sized people (give or take), or 4-6 internet nerds.
 
 
This stuff is almost as good as the curried chickpeas I love so much. I could probably eat nothing but these two dishes the rest of my life and die a happy person. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it (and eating it)! :D
 
  
 
It's also worthy to note that cooking this sort of thing leaves you with really messy dishes. Soak everything that touched the curry paste as soon as you're able because otherwise you'll have stained dishes.
 
It's also worthy to note that cooking this sort of thing leaves you with really messy dishes. Soak everything that touched the curry paste as soon as you're able because otherwise you'll have stained dishes.

Latest revision as of 17:26, 16 April 2008

Originally posted here by Feather. I added some tofu and it worked out OK.

Feather curry done.jpg

Oh my little droogies I have been wanting to contribute to the slate of cooking before they get (too) old, so I offer up this little gem from the depths of my cooking dungeons:

Potato and Spinach Curry with Chickpeas

Prep time: 30-45 minutes. Total cost for all ingredients: ~US$10, most of which was the new jar of paste and the mustard seeds. Serves 8 regular sized people (give or take), or 4-6 internet nerds.

Ingredients[edit]

  • 1 Medium Onion
  • 6-8 cloves garlic1
  • 12-14 oz of fresh spinach (you can find this in a bag at your grocery store, usually, or with the other veggies where you can bag it yourself).
  • 2 large potatoes, peeled, diced, and rinsed.
  • 1 cup cooked garbanzo beans (or 1 14-16oz can if you prefer), rinsed & drained
  • 2 cups Basmati rice
  • 2 tbsp Curry Paste (to your desired spicey-ness; I prefer very hot, but had to cook this dish for people that can't take it, so you'll see "Mild" here instead)
  • 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
  • 2-3 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
  • 2 cups of water
  • A few small fresh limes2
  • 1 block tofu (optional)

Note that I have already peeled the potatoes and diced one!

1: If you hate garlic, reduce this number; the original recipe I was given calls for 2 cloves. I, however, could eat garlic much as I would an apple if it didn't sting so badly, so I chose to use a little more. Save 2 of the cloves for cooking the tofu if you are going that route.

2: If you aren't a big fan of the salty-sweet flavor of lime, use just one; the idea is to give it a "hint" of the flavor.

Method[edit]

Roughly chop the onion and crush the garlic.

Place a large, deep frying pan on medium heat and let it warm up.

Wilt the spinach in another pan over low-medium heat. Do not cook the spinach, just wilt it. It looks like this when you stick it by handfuls into a pan:

Feather curry spinach.jpg

You'll want to sprinkle teaspoonfuls of water into the pan between batches maybe, depending on your cookware. Don't use oils or anything else.

The spinach should be a rich green and just wilted but not shrivelled, i.e. not cooked.

Remove the pan of spinach from heat and set aside.

Next, pour the vegetable oil into the large frying pan and let it heat for about half a minute or so. Fry the crushed garlic and onion for 5 minutes

Now stir in the paste and mustard seeds and fry for 1-2 minutes.

I have a weakness here. Sometimes I'll take a spoonful of this mixture and eat it. Because it's crack, I tell you. Anyway, onward into our cooking journey!

Cook the Basmati rice as usual, and start now (you have to boil the water then stir in the rice, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes).

Dump the diced potatoes into the frying pan and pour the water (both cups) in. Then stir so everything's nicely coated and covered. The water should just top the potatoes.

Bring to the boil and let cook 20-25, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are almost tender (don't cook until they're done). You can test this by sticking a fork into one of the pieces of potato; if it slides very easily into the piece or the piece falls apart you've overcooked it.

At about the 20 or 25 minute mark most of the potatoes should be at least halfway visible:

Feather curry mostlydone.jpg

Now we stir in the spinach and then the garbanzo beans:

Feather curry nearlydone.jpg

Cook this for about 5-7 minutes, stirring a few times. While this is happening, you should be able to remove the rice from the simmer and let it begin to cool slightly. Also, slice your lime(s) in half.

If you'd like to add tofu, you can cube it now and sautee it in a tbsp of oil and 2 crushed cloves of garlic. Once the tofu is lightly browned, add it to the rest of the stuff.

The final step before serving is to squeeze the lime juice in and then stir it.

The final dish, served over rice, looks something like this:

Feather curry done.jpg

Prep time: 30-45 minutes. Total cost for all ingredients: ~US$10, most of which was the new jar of paste and the mustard seeds. Serves 8 regular sized people (give or take), or 4-6 internet nerds.

It's also worthy to note that cooking this sort of thing leaves you with really messy dishes. Soak everything that touched the curry paste as soon as you're able because otherwise you'll have stained dishes.