Move Over, Palak Paneer: 5 Desi Palak Recipes To Make The Most Of This Winter Green

Year 2020 is the beginning of a brand new decade, and befitting this landmark year is the trend of returning to local and hyperlocal foods for good health. Gone are the days that nutritionists would recommend foreign foods for their health benefits. All experts now swear by the advantages of locally grown produce, including leafy greens such as bathua and methi. In keeping with this trend, the importance of our humble spinach or palak cannot be emphasised enough. Densely packed with essential nutrients, spinach is a must-have leafy green during winter season.

Spinach contains more than a dozen different antioxidant flavonoid compounds that have anti-inflammation properties. The leafy green is known to protect against heart diseases and may also help in reducing cancer risk. A single serving provides more than twice of the daily recommended intake of vitamin K, which is vital for maintaining healthy bones and strengthening them. While raw spinach is quite healthy, cooked spinach is even more so. As winters begin to recede and give way to the bright spring sunshine, we must attempt to make the most of the humble leafy green while it lasts.

Here Are 5 Desi Palak Recipes To Try To Make The Most Of The Winter Green:

1. Palak Puri

The health benefits of palak are manifold, as already explained. What better way to include it in our diet than in the form of some delicious puris? Palak puri combines the goodness of palak in a crispy, deep-fried puri, which can be eaten as is or paired with an aloo sabzi. Click here for the recipe. 

2. Palak Raita

Who says you need to wait for summers to make delicious raitas? This spinach raita is packed with the interesting surprise of spinach paste with delicious spices such as nutmeg and lime. The raita will add a zing of refreshing wholesomeness to anything that you choose to have it with. Your guests will surely ask for the recipe which you made it with! Click here for the full recipe. 

(Also Read: 5 South Indian Raita Recipes with Beetroot, Gooseberry, Coconut and More)

3. Palak Kebab

If you thought spinach was a boring vegetable, wait till you devour these savoury paneer dahi kebabs. Light and airy to taste, and yet crunchy and flavourful, this delicious paneer kebab recipe is just the perfect way to have this healthy leafy green. A bonus is the stuffing made with roasted cashew, which makes the kebab even more awesome. Click here for the full recipe. 

4. Palak Bhurji

Whenever we think of cooking palak for main course, the first dish that comes to mind is the palak paneer. Palak bhurji is here to be the winner of your main course. Garnished with lots of garlic and ginger, this palak bhurji recipe is truly one for the guests to remember. Click here for the full recipe.

(Also Read: Weight Loss: Add This Wonder Ingredient To Paneer Bhurji And Increase Its Protein Value)

5. Fried Palak Patta Chaat

Palak leaves are tough to be consumed raw, but this palak patta chaat makes it effortlessly yummy. Spinach leaves are fried in a refreshing singhare ka atta until golden-brown and then topped with yogurt, meethi saunth and chaat masala to make it an irresistible combination. Click here for the recipe. 

So make hay while the sun shines and use these delicious desi palak recipes to make every meal delicious, healthy and super nutritious.