Afghani Inspired Spinach Dish

Delight your taste buds with this flavorful Afghani-Inspired Spinach Dish, a wholesome and aromatic recipe that infuses tender spinach with the rich essence of cumin, coriander, and turmeric. This recipe combines hearty greens and creamy Greek yogurt to create a smooth and satisfying texture, while a splash of red chili powder adds an optional spicy kick. Quick and easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, this dish is perfect as a nutritious vegetarian main course or a side dish. Garnished with fresh cilantro for a bright finish, it pairs beautifully with warm naan, flatbread, or fluffy basmati rice, making it a versatile addition to your weekly menu.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams fresh spinach
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium (finely chopped) onion
• 3 cloves (minced) garlic
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 0.25 teaspoons (optional, for heat) red chili powder
• 150 grams plain Greek yogurt
• 100 ml water
• 0.75 teaspoons (or to taste) salt
• 2 tablespoons (finely chopped) fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Wash the fresh spinach thoroughly, then roughly chop it and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for about 30 seconds until aromatic.

Step 4

Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and soft.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute, being careful not to burn it.

Step 6

Add the ground coriander, ground turmeric, and red chili powder (if using), then stir well to combine with the sautéed onions and garlic.

Step 7

Gradually add the chopped spinach to the skillet in batches, stirring each addition until wilted. Continue until all the spinach is in the skillet.

Step 8

Pour in the water, cover the skillet, and let the mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is tender and fully cooked.

Step 9

In a small bowl, whisk the plain Greek yogurt until smooth. Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir the yogurt into the spinach mixture to avoid curdling.

Step 10

Season with salt to taste and let the spinach cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring gently.

Step 11

Turn off the heat and sprinkle the dish with freshly chopped cilantro.

Step 12

Serve warm with naan, flatbread, or basmati rice for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	929.5 grams (929.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	334

Total Fat 4.40g	6%
Saturated Fat 2.00g	10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 15mg	5%
Sodium 2221mg	97%
Total Carbohydrate 45.30g	16%
Dietary Fiber 16.20g	58%
Total Sugars 12.70g
Protein 30.50g	61%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 750mg	58%
Iron 20mg	112%
Potassium 645mg	14%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 11.6%

Protein: 35.6%

Carbs: 52.9%