Spinach with Sambar Onions

          Spinach as everybody is aware of, is full of iron and has vitamins, proteins and minerals too. So it is considered very healthy and has to be incorporated in our diet as much as possible. You can just stir fry it, have it pureed and made Palak Paneer or can be had, cooked with lentils, to name a few options. 

          Today I decided why not add some sambar onions and prepare a side dish to be had with chapattis for a light dinner. So here is a simple, yet delicious dish prepared in mustard oil and with a tempering of panch phoron a la Bengali style.

• 3-4 bunches of spinach, cleaned & chopped
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1 tsp. panch phoron
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 10-12 sambar onions
• 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. red chili flakes

    Heat oil in a pan and temper with panch phoron. After it stops crackling, add the asafoetida, garlic and onions. Sauté for a minute on low flame.

          Add the chopped spinach, salt and turmeric powder. Cover and cook till the moisture is all absorbed. Add the chili flakes and give it a mix. Serve as a side dish with either rice or chapatti.