Name: Jain Corn Palak
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: ½ bunch Spinach, palak, washed and blanched; ½ cup Sweet Corn, kernels, boiled; 1 Tomato, pureed; 1 Green Chili Pepper, half for puree, half slit; ½ inch Ginger, optional (omit for strict Jain), chopped for puree; ½ tsp Cumin Seeds; ⅛ tsp Ground Turmeric, just a pinch; ½ tsp Ground Coriander; ¼ tsp Garam Masala; 1 tbsp Fresh Cream, malai, adds richness; ½ tbsp Butter; ½ tbsp Cooking Oil; ½ tsp Salt, to taste

40 mintotal

30 min hands-on10 min hands-off

Prep 15 min · Cook 15 min

Serves: 2
Difficulty: Easy
Spice: Mild

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Method

In a blender, puree the blanched spinach leaves with a portion of the green chilli (and ginger, if using) into a very smooth, bright green paste.
Heat oil and butter together in a pan on medium heat. (Using oil prevents the butter from burning).
Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add the remaining slit green chilli.
Add the tomato puree. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the tomatoes lose their raw smell and the oil separates.
4–5 min
Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well.
Pour in the vibrant spinach puree. Mix it thoroughly with the tomato base.
Add the boiled sweet corn kernels to the gravy. Let it simmer gently on low heat for 3-4 minutes. (Do not over-boil the spinach, or it will turn dark and muddy green).
3–4 min
Stir in the garam masala and fresh cream. Mix gently until the cream blends into the gravy.
Cook for 1 final minute, turn off the heat, and serve immediately.

How to tell it's done

Plump, juicy, and sweet kernels of golden corn submerged in a silky smooth, velvety, and vividly green spinach sauce.

Getting it right

Tip

Adding a tiny pinch of sugar while cooking the spinach puree magically enhances the natural sweetness of the corn and helps retain the bright green color of the palak.

What to serve it with

A restaurant-style, luxurious green gravy that feels incredibly light without onion or garlic. Perfect with Butter Naan or Jeera Rice.

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Ingredients