Palakura Iguru | Spinach Curry | Palak Recipe

Palakura Iguru, also known as Spinach Curry or Palak Recipe, is a traditional and healthy South Indian dish cherished by Telugu-speaking people. This flavorful curry is made using fresh spinach leaves and a blend of spices, offering a delightful taste that complements various Indian breads like roti, pulka, and chapati, as well as steamed rice. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it's also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect choice for a wholesome meal. In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step instructions to prepare this delicious curry at home.

Preparation time: 10 Minutes
Cooking time: 15 Minutes
Main ingredient: Spinach
Course: Main
Yield: 1 Bowl / Serves 2-3
1 Bowl measurement: 250 ml

Quick Navigation:

• Ingredients
• Procedure
• Step 1: Clean and Soak the Spinach Leaves
• Step 2: Chop the Onions and Green Chilies
• Step 3: Chop the Spinach
• Step 4: Prepare the Tempering
• Step 5: Sauté Onions and Green Chilies
• Step 6: Add Salt and Turmeric Powder
• Step 7: Add Sesame Seeds
• Step 8: Add Chopped Spinach
• Step 9: Add Water and Cook
• Step 10: Add Red Chili Powder and Simmer
• Step 11: Add Boiled Milk (Optional)
• Step 12: Serve Hot

Ingredients

Spinach (Palakura, Palak): 250 grams or 4 bowls

Onion (Ullipaya, Pyaz): 1 large

Green chilies (Pachimirapa, Mirchi): 3-4

Sesame seeds (Tella Nuvvulu, Til): 2 tbsp

Turmeric powder (Pasupu, Haldi): 1/2 tbsp

Red chili powder (Kaaram): 1/2 tbsp

Salt (Uppu, Namak): 1/4 tbsp

For Tempering (Talimpu, Tadkha):
Black gram (Minapappu, Urad Dal): 1/2 tbsp
Dry red chili (Endumirapa, Laal Mirch): 1, slit
Cumin seeds (Jeelakarra, Jeera): 1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds (Avalu, Rai): 1/2 tbsp

Curry leaves (Karivepaku, Kari Patta): Few

Oil (Nune, Thel): 1-2 tbsp

Boiled Milk (Optional): 1/4 bowl

Procedure

Step 1: Clean and Soak the Spinach Leaves

Clean and soak the spinach leaves in water with added salt for 15 minutes to remove any dust and pesticides.

Step 2: Chop the Onions and Green Chilies

Cut the onion and green chilies into medium-sized pieces.

Step 3: Chop the Spinach

Chop the soaked spinach leaves into medium-sized pieces.

Step 4: Prepare the Tempering

Preheat the oil in a pan over medium flame and add the tempering spices one after another with a few seconds gap.

Black gram:

Dry red chili:

Cumin seeds and mustard seeds:

When the mustard seeds start to crackle, add the curry leaves.

Step 5: Sauté Onions and Green Chilies

Add the chopped onions and green chilies to the pan and sauté for a minute.

Step 6: Add Salt and Turmeric Powder

Add a little salt sufficient for the onions (as spinach contains natural salt) and turmeric powder. Sauté for another minute.

Step 7: Add Sesame Seeds

Add the sesame seeds to the pan and sauté for a minute.

Step 8: Add Chopped Spinach

Add the chopped spinach to the pan and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step 9: Add Water and Cook

Add 1/4 bowl of water to the mixture and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 10: Add Red Chili Powder and Simmer

Add red chili powder and cook until the water evaporates, approximately 6-7 minutes.

Step 11: Add Boiled Milk (Optional)

Add 1/4 bowl of boiled milk to the curry and let it cook for another 5-6 minutes until it reaches the desired thickness.

Turn off the flame once the curry reaches the required consistency.

If you prefer not to add milk, you can skip this step and stop cooking at Step 10.

Step 12: Serve Hot

Your hot and healthy Palakura Iguru is ready to serve! Enjoy it with roti, pulka, chapati, or steamed rice.

Palakura Iguru is not just a delicious dish but also a powerhouse of nutrients, thanks to the fresh spinach and spices used in its preparation. This simple yet flavorful curry is perfect for those looking to include more greens in their diet without compromising on taste. Whether you're serving it with Indian breads or rice, it's sure to be a hit at the dining table. Try this recipe at home and enjoy a wholesome meal with your family.