BASIC SPINACH GRAVY
TARLA DALAL

Basic spinach gravy, this is a very basic gravy that can be used with a variety of vegetables to make subzis (Dry vegetables or sukhi sabji). It has a natural dark green colour, and a medium spicy taste because of the combination of ingredients like green chillies and yoghurt. It is best to blanch and then use the spinach so that it maintains the bright green colour. Once blanched, cool and blend to a smooth paste using a mixer, and then use as a base for this gravy.

Basic Spinach Gravy recipe
Preparation Time: 15 mins Cooking Time: 8 mins Total Time: 23 mins Makes 0.75 cup

INGREDIENTS

To Be Ground into A Smooth Paste
2 tbsp. chopped cashewnuts (kaju)
2 tbsp. poppy seeds (khus-khus)
4 tbsp. roughly chopped garlic (lehsun)
6 to 7 green chillies, roughly chopped
25 mm  piece ginger (adrak)
2 tsp aniseeds (to taste)

Other Ingredients
3 tbsp. olive oil
1/3 cup Greek yoghurt
4 cups chopped spinach (palak), blanched and blended.
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a fry pan, add the prepared paste and saute on a medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the yoghurt, mix well and cook on a low heat for a minute, while stirring continuously.
Add the spinach and mix well and simmer for another 2 minutes, stirring once in between. Use as required.

Storage
Use this gravy on the same day to make recipes of your choice. If you wish to store it in the deep-freezer for a few weeks.

BBQ SAUCE

Low-Carb and No Sugar Added

Total Time 65 min
Prep 5 min, Cook 60 min
Yield ~25 tablespoons (11 cals each)

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 small can no added salt tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water (or more if too thick)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (Check sugar and salt content)
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon adobo sauce (chipotle pepper optional) (Check sugar and salt content) NB1
  • 1/4 small yellow onion, grated
  • 1 large garlic clove, grated
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat and let simmer on low, uncovered, for about an hour.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

If you’d like your sauce on the smokier side, increase the chili powder by 1/2 teaspoon increments.

If you’d like your sauce on the spicier side, increase the adobo sauce by 1/2 teaspoon increments.

Alternatively, add 1/4 (or more) of a chipotle pepper

Adapted from  https://www.verywell.com/sugar-free-bbq-sauce-2242336?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareurlbuttons

NB1 Adobo or Adobar is the immersion of raw food in a stock composed variously of paprika, oregano, salt, garlic, and vinegar to preserve and enhance its flavor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobo

BASIC ADOBO SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 ounces guajillo chilis, (12), wiped clean, stemmed, slit open, seeded, and deveined
  • 3/4 cup water for blending, or more if necessary
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine salt, or 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (Omit)
  • 3/4 teaspoon sugar (omit)
  • 1/4 rounded teaspoon ground cumin

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat a heavy based fry pan over medium-low heat, and toast the chillis 2 or 3 at a time, turning them over and pressing down on them with tongs frequently, until they are fragrant and their insides have changed color slightly, about 1 minute per batch.
  2. Soak the chilis in enough cold water to cover until they are soft, about 30 minutes. Drain and discard the soaking water.
  3. Put the 3/4 cup of fresh water in the blender jar with the chilis and the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth, at least 3 minutes, adding a little more water if necessary to puree. If you like a silky texture, strain the adobo through a medium-mesh sieve.

Adapted from http://www.foodrepublic.com/recipes/basic-adobo-sauce-recipe/