Spicy Stir-Fried Mushrooms & Spinach

When I cook ethnic foods, I like to prepare the whole meal as authentically as I can, whenever I can. It doesn’t always happen, but I succeed more often than not. When I made my spicy Indian shrimp Spicy Indian Shrimp, I needed some authentic side dishes to go with it. One of those side dishes was some spicy stir-fried mushrooms and spinach, or Khumbh Palak.

Khumbh Palak is mushrooms cooked in a creamy spinach and cumin sauce or gravy as the Indians call it. Palak is an Indian or Hindi word that means spinach. It originated in Kashmir.

The eating habits and diets of Indians varies greatly depending on where they live and what their religion is. One constant is their love for vegetables though. Even the Indians who are meat-eaters still have at least 2 or 3 vegetable side dishes to go with the meat.

Spicy Stir-Fried Mushrooms and Spinach

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp garam masala

2 tsp garlic

2 tsp ginger

1 jalapeno, diced fine

1/2 onion, diced fine

2 lbs spinach, stems removed, chopped

1/2 lb mushrooms, stems removed and quartered

salt & pepper to taste

2 TBSP heavy whipping cream

olive oil

Get a large skillet or pan very hot, then add the oil, onions, garlic, jalapenos, turmeric, ginger and cumin. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the spinach and mushrooms and continue to cook for about 3 minutes, or until the spinach and mushrooms are cooked, stirring frequently.

When the spinach and mushrooms are cooked, add the garam masala and cream and incorporate well into the mixture and continue to cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Adjust the seasonings as needed.

Serve along side your favorite Indian dishes and enjoy. 🙂

Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.