Remember the cartoon character Popeye who eats lots of spinach from the can to gain strength. Well, whatever the story and the myth may be, spinach is definitely a healthy green vegetable. It is loaded with beneficial nutrients and has many healthy benefits. It is low in fat and even lower in cholesterol, It is high in niacin and zinc, as well as protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and manganese. Abundant flavonoids in spinach act as antioxidants to keep cholesterol from oxidizing and protect your body from free radicals, particularly in the colon. The folate in spinach is good for healthy cardiovascular system, and magnesium helps lower high blood pressure. Studies also have shown that spinach helps maintain vigorous brain function, memory and mental clarity.
We all love pakoda (pakora) as it is delicious and tasty. However it is fried item and people afraid to eat the pakoda due to fat content. But one can try spinach pakoda and spinach – onion pakoda – both uses less gram flour and less oil to fry. Eat this healthy vegetable in the form of two varieties of pakoda.
Spinach pakoda:
Ingredients:
1. Malabar Spinach or regular spinach leaves -12 to 14
2. Gram flour- 3/4 cup
3. Rice flour – 1 tsp
4. Cumin powder ¼ tsp or cumin seeds (your choice) 1/4 tsp
5. Asafoetida – a pinch
6. Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
7. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
8. Water
9. Salt
10. Oil for frying
Method:
1. Wash spinach leaves and spread them on a paper towel to remove excess water.
2. In a bowl mix – gram flour, cumin powder or seeds, chilli powder, rice flour, asafetida, salt, turmeric powder and couple of drops of oil.
3. To the above mix add one to one to one and half cup of water and make a batter. It should not be too thick or thin. Thinner than dosa batter. Do not add excess water. Allow this mix to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. In a frying pan heat the oil in medium flame. Now, dip the spinach leaves in the batter and slowly release in the heated oil. Fry both the sides.
5. Serve hot spinach pakoda during snack time with green chutney or sweet chutney.
Spinach- onion pakoda (serving for 5 people)
Ingredients
1. Spinach leaves -20 – chop the leaves to one inch size
2. Gram flour- 3/4 cup
3. Rice flour – 1 tsp
4. Cumin powder ¼ tsp or cumin seeds (your choice) 1/4 tsp
5. Asafoetida – a pinch
6. Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
7. Cut green chillies -2
8. Onion – one finely chopped
9. Coriander leaves- finely chopped
10. Ginger – One inch – finely chopped
11. Salt
12. Oil for frying
Method:
1. Wash spinach leaves and chop them to one-inch size.
2. In a bowl mix – cut spinach leaves, gram flour, cut onion, cumin powder or seeds, chilli powder, rice flour, asafetida, cut green chilli, ginger, coriander leaves, ginger, salt and couple of drops of oil.
3. Mix well without adding water. Since spinach contains water, it will help to hold the flour and other ingredients together. If you feel mix is too dry then add about 1/2 oz water. Do not add more water.
4. In a frying pan heat the oil in medium flame. Now, drop the small clumps of spinach and flour mix slowly in heated oil using your finger tips. Fry for few minutes till onion cooks.
5. Serve hot spinach-onion pakoda during snack time with green chutney or sweet chutney.
Recipe: www.werindia.com
