Qorma–e-Sabzi is a simple and flavourful spinach stew with lemons and dill.
This spinach stew is an Afghan sabzi preparation where meats like lamb and beef can be used too. But adding meat is not a must you can serve it as a plain vegetarian dish. It is a filling and nutritious meal paired with white rice or flatbread and yoghurt.
Slow cooking will bring out this dish's delicious flavours, especially if you are using lamb. Some recipes use fenugreek leaves but you can like me leave it out.
Afghan cuisine is absolute yum I have tried In the past, Afghani Bolani and Mint Chakkah~ A Creamy Curd and Mint Dip. There are a few more that I have been looking at will try them soon.
Of course, Palak Paneer, Peas Palak or Corn Palak is the family favourite. The girls will enjoy steamed rice also with it. Thanks to the famous Popeye I could get the girls to eat Palak ka Saag/ Spinach Greens~Bihari Style regularly. They live away from us now but make either Dal Palak| Skinless Green Gram with Spinach or Palak Kuttu/Keerai Mulagootal/Keerai Kootu. They claim it is easy to make and tastes wonderful with rice or chapatti.
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Qorma-e-Sabzi Recipe and me
When I made this stew for the first time my daughter was not happy. But the second time she could not stop herself from seconds and thirds too.
Spinach or palak as we call it is much liked in our place. I have made Dal Palak, Palak Kuttu, Palak Paneer,Peas Palak or Corn Palak. Try this Palak Pulao or make these amazing Vegan Hara Bhara Millets Kebabs.
Why MSK Spinach Stew recipe
Make this recipe as
- Easy to make
- Comforting
- Nourishing
- Simple seasonings
- Inexpensive
- Can be doubled or halved as needed
How to make Afghan Spinach Stew
These are the ingredients you will need. For quantities please check the recipe card.
Ingredients:
- Oil
- Garlic
- Spring onions
- Spinach
- Dried dill
- Coriander seeds powder
- Coriander leaves
- Pepper powder
- Salt to taste
- Lemon juice
- Paneer or cottage cheese
Method:
- Marinate the cottage cheese in garlic and onion and salt.
- To make this stew you need to saute’ the garlic and onions.
- Add the spinach and cook well and let it come to a boil.
- Add the dill, coriander leaves and coriander seed powder, pepper powder.
- Stir well and cook on low flame till all the liquid is absorbed and the spinach is tender.
- Add the marinated paneer and stir well.
- Do not cook for long as the paneer will become hard. Cover and switch off the flame.
- Let the mixture marinate well before adding the lemon juice. Mix well.
Substitutes:
- Use mushrooms or soya chunks to replace the paneer.
- Mushrooms will cook well and will get watery. I will like to cook the mushrooms separate before mixing in the cooked spinach. Then add the dill and coriander leaves. The mushrooms will add an umami flavour that will be yummy.
- Soya chunks are boiled and squeezed so add them with the spinach.
- Potatoes will taste awesome in this yum Afgan sabji.
- I have used dried dill you can use fresh ones.
Variations:
- One of the recipes I read uses fenugreek leaves. Next time I will use some or atleast use Kasuri methi.
Equipment:
You will need
- Wok
- Spoons and ladles
- Knife and board
How to serve:
- Serve with rice or naan. Personally, I preferred it with this Afghan challow.
How to store:
- This vegetable is delicious and flavourful I have very hardly any leftovers.
- But store leftovers in an air-tight container. Try and finish the stew in 2 days.
I posted this recipe for the FoodieMondayBloghop some time ago. Updating the post with a newer write-up for SEO purposes. The inspiration for this post came from here.
For Your Questions
Protips:
- In case you are using frozen spinach do not defrost it beforehand.
- The use of paneer, mushrooms and soya chunks is optional.
Summary
Qorma e sabzi, an Afgan sabzi is simple to make but the taste is simply delicious. The assent is on simple and subtle spices. This vegetable can be made with meat too.
Some Spinach Recipes we like
Qorma-e-Sabzi Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Knife and board
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon Oil
- 6 cloves garlic chopped, optional
- 2-3 bunches Spring onions chopped
- 3-4 bunches Palak/spinach chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 2 teaspoon coriander seeds powder
- ½ cup Coriander leaves
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper powder
- Salt to Taste
- 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 2 cups paneer optional, marinated in garlic and onion
Instructions
- In a large kadhai/wok heat the oil and sauté the garlic until golden brown.
- Add the onions and sauté until tender.
- Add the spinach and cook on medium heat.
- Stir regularly cook till the spinach settles down and the liquid boils.
- Add the dill, coriander leaves and powder, pepper powder.
- Stir well and reduce the heat so that the liquid bubbles gently.
- Cook for another 10 more minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the spinach very tender.
- Add the marinated paneer and stir well.Do not cook for long as the paneer will become hard.
- Cover and switch off the flame. Let the mixture marinate well before adding the lemon juice. Mix well.
- Serve with rice or naan. Personally I preferred it with this Afghan challow.
Nutritional Disclaimer: I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Please check with your nutritionist for your dietary needs and restrictions. Ultimately you are responsible for your decisions.
Other Spinach Dishes you may like
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The Girl Next Door says
Spinach is one of my most favourite greens, so versatile to work with. I love the idea of using them in a stew. 🙂
Poonam Bachhav says
This spinach stew with marinated paneer sounds filling and flavorful di ! Would love to give it a try sometime .
Poonam Bachhav says
The spinach stew with marinated spiced paneer sounds a perfect side dish with naan or phulka. Loved the name of this Afghani dish aswell.
Kalyani says
Packed with flavours Arch ! This is a smashing dish from Afganinstan ..and so glad you could find it for us .. amazing ...
Swati says
The Qoorma looks yummy packed my favoritism duper food combo.. paneer and spinach!! A different way to feed the regular spinach and paneer to kids !! Nice recipe!!
Sujata Roy says
Spinach stew looks flavourful and delicious. What's wrong with the texture? Texture also looks great. Healthy and delicious share.
ArchanaPotdar says
You need to poke holes you will find something or other. Nothing else Sujata. This time it was texture and next time it will be taste.
Mayuri Patel says
Exotic name !What a wonderful find Archana, love it. Another way to prepare healthy greens and enjoy it with rice or nan. Adding protein to it is a good idea and love how you used marinated paneer.
Mildlyindian (@mildlyindian) says
It looks so creamy and delicious. I love the idea of marinated paneer. How long do you marinate it?
ArchanaPotdar says
About 24 hours :D. Actually wanted to make them as fried paneer cubes but then .....
amrita says
Palak and paneer can be made in a different way and this is it...so so good
Geetha Priyanka says
Spinach stew looks so healthy and flavourful. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe, totally different dish with spinach and paneer.
Vidya Narayan says
I was super intrigued by the royal name of the dish and quickly headed over to read the recipe. Such a lovely combo of ingredients and perfect for winters too, I may say! The marinated paneer would have definitely added extra flavour and taste.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Vidya.
Sandhya says
Love the layers of flavor in this dish Archana! Seems like such a versatile dish too. Great share.
Ruchi says
Spinach stew sounds so interesting. Full of flavour and taste. Must be exotic and super delicious. Lovely share
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks
Priya Suresh says
This fingerlicking spinach makes me hungry, would love to have with some rice or rotis without any fuss.
Lata Lala says
The stew sounds very interesting. We always cook palak with some lentils. This is something different.
Sasmita Sahoo Samanta says
Ahaaa, sush a flavprful stew it looks !! The name is itself so so exotic di Such a healthy pick for theme really ....
Praneetha says
I have never tried Afghan recipes, this stew with spinach sounds interesting and healthy too.
Padma Veeranki says
Spinach stew sounds interesting...something different to what kinds I usually make...will try out some day...Yummy share!!
Freda says
Quite an interesting recipe and the name sounds so good as well! I'm sure it was super delicious 🙂
Jayashree says
Spinach stew with addition of dill must be tasty. Yummy share here, thanks for the stew recipe.
Pavani says
Spinach stew looks flavourful and delicious. Love the idea of adding panner to it.
Jagruti Dhanecha says
My both children love greens in their diet, so I am sure this dish will be a hit with them. so delicious and flavourful.
Uma Srinivas says
Spinach is a very good green veggie. I love to make a different kind of curries with spinach. Thanks for another idea.
Jayashree says
We love spinach at home, this stiew looks ideal with any meal. Love that name Archana.
Geetanjali Tung says
Qorma e sabzi, spinach stew sounds so delish. Love every thing about this recipe. Now spinach are in season will try this for sure. Will try the non vegetarian version too. Thanks for sharing!!
Veena Krishnakumar says
Paneer and spinach is a super combo. Subzi sounds delicious. Super share arch!!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Veena.
Azlin Bloor says
What an absolutely delicious recipe, I love anything spinach, so I know we would just enjoy this. I wonder if it would work with kale?
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Azlin! Kale definitely should work they have both the same flavour profiles. Thanks, I will definitely experiment 😀
Shobha Keshwani says
Interesting stew. Somewhat like palak paneer. Dill must have added a lovely flavour to the curry.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you, Shobha. Yes dil gives it a nice flavour.
Seema Sriram says
I loved the qorma e sabzi recipe. I thought I was making a huge quantity and just like that we lapped it all!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 that is why I never have leftovers. It is never a huge batch.
Mayuri Patel says
I had all the ingredients at hand and anyway wanted something to go with the rice. I came across your qorma e sabzi recipe. Added some mushroom for the protein and we simply loved the overall flavour of this dish. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you, Mayuri. Mushrooms will taste awesome in this stew.
Neha says
This qorma e sabzi turned out really well. Generally, we make it, but with a slightly different version. When I tried this with paneer, it turned out awesome. It is quite nutritious - a perfect amalgamation of proteins and vitamins-minerals. Nice post!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you, Neha. Glad you liked it. I will love to try your version.
Priya Vj says
Altogether new Cuisine and a new recipe..have not come across many afghan recipes so far . Love the way spinach is treated and used in the stew .
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 try it Priya, you will like it.
Kalyani says
love the name Qorma e sabji- gives such a royal feel and for the husband, soya chunks definitely in place of paneer will be appreciated ! amazing dish I can say..
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Kalyani.
Jayashree T.Rao says
I love using spinach in my cooking. This qorma-e-sabzi looks delicious, any substitute for dill leaves Archana ?
ArchanaPotdar says
Dil is Sabsagi Palya so you will get it. I leave it out many times.
Maria says
This recipe is the beauty of simplicity like most Afghan recipes. Wholesome, hearty and delicious.
ArchanaPotdar says
I guess I will love to try some more Afghan Cuisine. This is yum. Thanks, Maria.