Chana Palak / Chickpea Spinach Curry (No Onion No Garlic)
Hearty and easy-to-make chana palak or chole palak made with chickpea, spinach, and spices. The recipe I am sharing here is made without onion or garlic, yet it is super delicious and flavorful. It is ready in 20 minutes and can be paired with rice or naan.
Servings: 6
Calories: 343kcal
Ingredients
- 3 cans chickpeas
- 1 packet frozen spinach (10 oz)
- 3 tablespoon oil
- 1 large potato cut into small cubes
- 1½ cups canned tomatoes
- 1 inch ginger finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon kasoori methi dried fenugreek leaves
- 1 cup water
Spices
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 star anise
- ½ teaspoon hing asafetida
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or as per taste
- 1 teaspoon garam masala (use store-bought or homemade garam masala)
Instructions
Prep:
- Drain the liquid from the canned chickpeas and rinse them thoroughly.
- Crush the kasoori methi between your palms and set it aside.
Making the curry:
- Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add oil.
- Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add cumin seeds, star anise, hing, and ginger. Saute for one minute.
- Add the tomatoes, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, chili powder, sugar, and salt.
- Mix well and saute for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add chickpeas and spinach. Add one cup of water and deglaze the pot.
- Cancel saute mode and set the Instant Pot in pressure cook mode for 3 minutes.
- Do a natural release of pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
- Open the IP lid once the pin drops. Add kasoori methi and garam masala.
- Mix well and serve hot.
Video
Notes
I have used 3 cans of chickpeas here (each can weighing 15 oz/425 grams). Drain the water and rinse the chickpea well.
Frozen spinach can be used directly without defrosting. If you are using fresh spinach, clean and chop them. Add them after pressure cooking the curry and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Canned tomatoes can be replaced with fresh tomatoes. If you are using fresh tomatoes, cook the tomatoes for 4-5 minutes, until they are soft and pulpy, before going to the next step.
Nutrition
Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 721mg | Potassium: 810mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 293IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 5mg