Palak (Spinach) Soup

 

Ingredients:

3 big bunches thoroughly washed spinach
1″ cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1 bay leaf
few curry leaves
1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 tsp finely chopped ginger
1 green chilli
1 tbsp butter
2 tsps rice flour mixed in 2 tbsps water
1 1/2 tsps malai/top of milk or fresh cream (optional)
black pepper to season
salt to taste

method

1 Heat butter in a pan, add cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf and curry leaves. Saute for few secs. Add the onions, chopped garlic and ginger and saute for 4 mts. Add the spinach leaves along with a green chili and saute for another 2 mts.
2 Add 4 cups of water. Let it cook till the leaves turn tender, approx 5-6 mts. Do not over cook.
3 When cool, strain. Discard the cloves, bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Puree the spinach-onion mixture.
4 Add the the left over strained stock to the pureed spinach and let it simmer on medium heat. Add salt and black pepper powder and mix. Simmer for about 8 mts. Add the rice flour mixture and go on stirring till the soup thickens slightly. Add malai or fresh cream and mix. Turn off heat.
5 Serve hot along with a few croutons.