Kashmiri Recipes
RECIPE NO. 99
'Nadier Paalak'
(E-Lotus Roots and Spinach) (H-'Kamal-ke-Jadh aur Palak')
This is a Side Dish served in Big
Feasts and Dinners. It is also a very good Dish for Domestic Meals and is
enjoyed with Plain Cooked Rice.
| 1. Lotus Roots |
250 gm |
| 2. Spinach |
1 kg |
| 3. Mustard Oil |
1 cup |
| 4. Cumin Seeds |
1 tsp |
| 5. Cloves |
3 nos |
| 6. Asafoetida |
a pinch |
| 7. Red Chili Powder |
1 tsp |
| 8. Turmeric |
1 tsp |
| 9. Ginger Powder |
1/2 tsp |
| 10. Aniseed Powder |
1/2 tsp |
| 11. Curd |
1/2 cup |
| 12. 'Garam Masala' or 'Vari 'Masala' |
1/2 tsp |
| 13. Green Chilies |
3 nos |
| 14. Green Coriander |
a few sprigs |
1. Scrape the Lotus Roots with a knife, and cut
root heads and any withered ends of the stalks. Slice horizontally into
1/4" thick round pieces. Wash thoroughly and remove mud from holes,
and keep in a colander to drain water.
2. Sort out good leaves of Spinach, discarding
coarse stems, if any. Wash and Shred the leaves, and keep in a colander to
drain water.
3. Wash, slit and discard seeds of Green Chilies,
and chop these. Chop also sorted and washed Coriander Leaves, and their
tender Stems. Keep aside in a plate.
1. In a steel 'Kadahi' or 'Patila',
fry in oil, the Lotus Root slices for a few minutes, frequently fuming
these with a perforated ladle. Take out with the same ladle after draining
all oil, and keep aside in a bowl.
Add Cumin Seeds, Cloves and Asafoetida to the
Oil, after removing the 'Kadahi' or 'Patila' from the stove
for a minute or two, to cool the oil a bit. Stir, and add Turmeric and the
Red Chili Powder, along with a table spoon of water. Stir again till oil
takes colour, and then add shredded Spinach, and go on turning with a
steel ladle. After the Spinach leaves become limp, get cooked for a few
minutes in the oil, and the water comes out of the leaves, add the fried
Lotus Root pieces, beaten Curd, Ginger and Aniseed Powders, and continue
turning with the ladle, till the Curd and Spices blend with the Vegetables
and almost all water evaporates.
2. When the Spinach begins to get fried, is
almost done along with Lotus Roots, and the oil begins to separate, add a
cup of water and stir. Let cook for another 10 minutes or so, till the
water soaks into the Spinach and the Lotus Roots. Turn twice or thrice in
the meanwhile, so that no caking, at the bottom, takes place.
3. When oil again begins to show, add 'Garam
Masala' or crushed 'Vari Masala'. Stir and transfer to a
Serving Bowl, and garnish with the chopped Green Chilies and Coriander
Leaves. Serve.
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