Baby Butter Saag
25 Min
GF

Baby Butter Saag

Saag, or saag paneer, a dish that can swing from an overly creamy gloppy dish to a fragrant verdant puree with little chunks of paneer, a simple cheese, has a storied past in Punjab, the north Indian province it originates from. While saag paneer has always been more of a restaurant preparation, home iterations of saag are cooked long and slow or until the greens turn a dark color. It usually consists of a lightly spiced aromatic spinach with optional other added greens like mustard and fenugreek.

The saag I’ve been making for over three decades, whether at home or at the restaurant, has always been a barely cooked electric green nourishing version with a dozen or so spices from cumin, ginger to fenugreek. Today, I bring you saag in its purest and simplest form. In an attempt to feed greens to the newest member of our family, Lion, I’ve arrived at a recipe with just six ingredients. Yes, this saag will remind you of baby food but if only babies ate this well, our world may be a better place! There is a generous amount of butter but feel free to edit or replace with olive or coconut oil for a plant-exclusive version. Lion is eating it with great enthusiasm, and I’ve now started stirring a spoon or two in my scrambled eggs in the morning. 

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Cook Time

25 Minutes

Serves

3

Step 1
In a large sauté pan or stockpot, warm a little bit of butter and when it starts to sizzle, add the cumin and cardamom. They will pop and sizzle, immediately after adding the garlic.
Step 2
Fry the garlic for no more than a few seconds then add the spinach, in 3 to 4 parts. The spinach will wilt and reduce. Covering the pan will help it wilt faster. The spinach will give off some liquid but as soon as all the spinach has wilted, turn the heat off. It is key not to overcook the spinach or you will lose the bright green color.
Step 3
Let the spinach cool, uncovered for no more than 10 minutes or so, then add the rest of the butter, the salt and puree the entire mixture in a blender. If the spinach has not given off enough liquid, add a few tablespoons of water.
Step 4
Spread it in a bowl or small jars and let cool before covering. Store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days and in the freezer for longer.

3 to 4 ounces butter

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

2 whole green cardamom pods, crushed

1 tablespoon minced garlic

10 -12 ounces baby spinach

1 teaspoon salt

Notes & Variations

  • If using bunch spinach, this recipe takes about 2 large or 3 small bunches. Cut off the stems below the leaves. Remember to rinse the spinach leaves out in 2 to 3 bowls of water as fresh spinach bunches always have specks of dirt on them.
  • Add a tablespoon of sugar or maple syrup when cooking the spinach leaves ~ this will mellow out the sharp edges of the spinach flavor.
  • For a more adult version, add a tablespoon of dried fenugreek leaves and a serrano pepper, while cooking the spinach.
Tags:
25 Min
GF

MORE SPINACH? DON'T MIND IF WE DO.

It's tasty, it's good for you. You can't go wrong.

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