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Haaq

Haaq is actually the name of a bitter green from Kashmir, not unlike spinach but perhaps a little more strongly flavored. In any case, spinach is used as a substitute throughout India, and this simple preparation is widespread. Neither mustard oil nor the amount of chile (I use only one) is key; but asafetida—also known as hing—the odd yellow powder (it’s made from a resin that is exuded by the roots of the plant) with the off putting aroma, most definitely is. In fact, this is the place to use it and learn to love it, as I believe you will. You can serve this as a side dish (in which case halve the quantities) or as a main course,with rice. It’s also often served with fried fish on top of it.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup mustard oil or neutral oil, like corn or grapeseed
5 small dried red chiles, or to taste
1 teaspoon asafetida (hing)
2 pounds fresh spinach, large stems removed
Salt to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put the oil in a large skillet or flameproof casserole over medium heat; a minute later, add the chiles and asafetida and cook until the chiles sizzle a bit, just a minute or so.

    Step 2

    Add the spinach and about 1/2 cup water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts and is tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt if necessary and serve hot or warm.

The Best Recipes in the World by Mark Bittman. © 2005 by Mark Bittman. Published by Broadway Books. All Rights Reserved. MARK BITTMAN is the author of the blockbuster The Best Recipes in the World (Broadway, 2005) and the classic bestseller How to Cook Everything, which has sold more than one million copies. He is also the coauthor, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, of Simple to Spectacular and Jean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef. Mr. Bittman is a prolific writer, makes frequent appearances on radio and television, and is the host of The Best Recipes in the World, a 13-part series on public television. He lives in New York and Connecticut.
TagsIndianSouth AsianAsianSpinachLeafy GreensVegetableSideMainDinnerGluten FreeVegetarianVeganDairy FreeKetoEasyQuick5 Ingredients or Fewer30 Minutes or LessOne-Pot MealsWeeknight MealsSimmerRosh HashanahCookbooks
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