Spinach And Potato Indian Empanadas Food

SAAG ALOO

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp sunflower oil in a large pan, add 1 finely chopped onion, 2 sliced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp chopped ginger, and fry for about 3 mins.
• Stir in 500g potatoes, cut into 2cm chunks, 1 halved, deseeded and finely sliced red chilli, ½ tsp black mustard seeds, ½ tsp cumin seeds, ½ tsp turmeric and ½ tsp salt and continue cooking and stirring for 5 mins more.
• Add a splash of water, cover, and cook for 8-10 mins.
• Check the potatoes are ready by spearing with the point of a knife, and if they are, add 250g spinach leaves and let it wilt into the pan. Take off the heat and serve.

ALOO PALAK (STIR-FRIED INDIAN POTATOES AND SPINACH)

Steps:

• Grind garlic and ginger together to make a paste.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion in the hot oil until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, cayenne, and turmeric. Add ginger-garlic paste. Mix well. Stir in remaining oil, potatoes, and tomatoes; cook until oil leaves the side of the pan, about 5 minutes. Add spinach and salt; continue to cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Serve.

SPINACH AND POTATO INDIAN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Saute onion with potato until tater is crisp tender. Add spinach, garlic and about 1/2 tsp each Rogan Josh and Vindaloo seasoning (you could use any Indian blend or curry). Cook until potato is done. Put on plate and allow to cool about 10 minutes.
• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Put about 2 T of spinach filling in each empanada skin, top with mozz if desired, and seal edges shut in a half moon -- crimp edges with tines of a fork. Brush tops with egg and bake in 400 F oven about 18 mins or until golden brown.
• These are delish cold too - a great thing to grab on the go! If your seasonings are a bit spicy, dip in yogurt or sour cream! Would make a good appetizer by using smaller empanada disks -- Enjoy!

SPINACH AND CHEESE EMPANADAS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing electric mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter on high speed until very smooth, pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl, as necessary. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the flour, little by little, and the salt, and process until just combined. Turn the dough out onto a slightly floured surface and knead lightly. Form the dough into a disk, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of the reserved bacon drippings in a medium nonstick skillet and, when hot, add the spinach. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach is wilted and has released its liquid, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the spinach to a colander to drain. When the spinach has cooled enough to handle, squeeze to release any excess water, then transfer to a cutting board and finely chop. Set aside.
• Add 2 more teaspoons of the bacon drippings to the same skillet, then add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the reserved spinach, crumbled bacon, cottage cheese, salt and pepper to taste and nutmeg and mix thoroughly. Transfer to a mixing bowl and allow to cool thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and, working on a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough to a thickness of about 1/8-inch thick. Using a small bowl or saucer as a guide, cut the dough into as many 5-inch circles as possible. Gather the scraps of dough together and knead lightly to reform the dough into a disk. Roll out as before and again cut as many rounds as you can. You should be able to get 10 to 12 rounds. Divide the spinach filling evenly among the dough circles. Using your fingers, lightly moisten the edges with some of the beaten egg, then fold 1 side over so that the edges meet, and press to seal. Crimp the edges using the tines of a fork and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all of the empanadas are assembled. Brush the tops of each empanada with some of the beaten egg and bake uncovered until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Serve either warm or at room temperature.

ALOO PALAK (INDIAN POTATOES & SPINACH)

Steps:

• In a pan cook the spinach with garlic, ginger, onions and the green chilies for about 5-10 minutes.
• Remove from the pan and blend to a fine puree and keep aside.
• In the meantime boil the potatoes with salt and turmeric until done, apprximately 10 minutes and set aside when done.
• Heat ghee in a pan, fry cumin seeds along with spinach-onion paste and simmer for a few minutes.
• Add the cooked potatoes, garam masala, coriander and cumin powder and a little water if needed.
• Simmer for few minutes till the potatoes absorb the flavor.
• Add fresh cream if desired.