The weekend has been one swing of cooking and I finally prepare many that were pending for a long time. This dish, though I had read about it a long time ago, didn't know what its called and whose specialty it is. When I had read this in my cookbook, I was curious to know how it tasted, though I knew it must be yummy. Because it has besan or the Gram flour added to the leaves. This one typically calls for the greens, more in particularly something which we couldn't place tamil name for. So decided will make it with spinach as its more readily available.
This sounds more like the parupu usili thats famous in Tamil Nadu, though how you can it is quite different. But of the same types, I can say. If you find you have some leftover greens, and it won't be enough for a full side dish, then I guess this is the easy way to make use of that greens. Even otherwise, I find that this will go very well with chapatis.
So heres how I think I am going to make my palak more often. I finally found out that this is called the Jhunka or Junka, this is famous in Karnataka and they use green chillis. Instead I used Chilli powder and to spice it up, used ginger garlic paste and spice powder.
Ingredients Needed:
Spinach Leaves - 1/2 cup
Onions - 1 small
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Ginger Garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
Spices powder (Cloves+ Cinnamon) - a pinch
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tsp
Gram Flour / Besan - 3 tsp
Method to prepare:
Wash the leaves and drain. Chop the onions and keep it aside
Heat a kadai with oil. Then temper with cumin seeds. Once its done, saute the onions till they are brown. Then add the ginger garlic paste, fry well.
Add the Spinach leaves and simmer for 2 mins, add the chilli powder, Salt, Spice powder. Mix well. Cover and keep it for 5 mins.
Remove cover and add the gram flour, mix well. You can sprinkle some water for it to get cooked. And by covering again, the flour gets cooked by the steam.
This is done in 10 - 15 mins time. Serve well with chapatis.
Medhaa says
Srivalli, this is interesting will try it soon. Never heard of Jhunka before.
satya says
Jhunka served with Bhakri is a typical maharasrian peasant meal.Their jhunka looks like a thick gravy with lots of besan.Your karnataka version looks equally yummy and spicy.Thanks for this interesting recipe Valli.
KALVA says
Wow awesome one Srivalli, i use lots of cilantro instead of palak.. I have posted some with besan and beetroot too...
Sujatha says
this is a nice recipe and sounds very different. Looks yummy and healthy too! Thanks for sharing, Srivalli!
Suma Rajesh says
this looks simple and tasty...surely am gonna try it...bookmarked
Cynthia says
Thanks for the introduction of this version. I fancy having it with dhal and rice and pickle!
Vani says
Jhunka looks delicious, Sri! Never tried a spinach version before but am bookmarking this for later! 🙂
alka says
This looks so interesting....and i can bet it tasted yummy too.I always add the few left over spinach leaves in coriander chutney to utilise them,but now i know what other option i have;-)
Thanks for sharing
shriya says
Never heard of jhunka before. Very diff kind of recipe spinach with besan . Must have tasted good.
Kalai says
Never heard of this before, but it looks like a great idea! Yummy dish, Valli! 🙂
SriLekha says
wow.. new idea... thanks for sharing the recipe
Rajitha says
yum! thatt does look delicious...it may taste a bit like bajji....
Nags says
oooh i love pakoras, bajjis and the like! will defintely try this! thanks srivalli 🙂
Anisheetu says
Wow this really looks yummy... today was reading through the millet dosa n came to know u have twins... u r great to handle 2... i m tired just with one... :)great dosa too...
notyet100 says
palak jhunka looks tasty,..new name forme,..:-)
meeso says
Hmmm, a new way to try spinach... Looks very tasty!
VEGETABLE PLATTER says
that looks very interesting ... with spinach, its all the more healthy
Srivalli says
Medhaa, thank you!..do try this..
satya, yeah thats what I learnt!..is there something that you dont' know??..:)...
Kalva..thanks..will check it out..
Cynthia, glad you liked..I think that will go great too!
Alka, thats great..do try and let me know!
shriya, it did...:)
Sujatha, you are welcome!
Suma, thanks.you are welcome
Vani, sure!.
Kalai, wondering how it never struck you..:)
Rajitha, thanks...it did..
SriLekha, glad you like it
Nags, yep..it did taste very similar
Anisheetu, thanks..glad you liked that post too...and I am sure even 1 is very handful..:)
priyanka, glad I was able to post something new
meeso, thanks hope you try it
Sumi, thanks
tripti says
hi.. im married just 6 months bck.. n 1st time cooking food on my own for last 6 months.. but my palak recepis wud always turned out to be pathetic. my hubby wud skip dinner if i made palak (me too wud not like it). tried many times, but it failed always. last week i tried ur recipe n it was great. me n my hubby both liked it. thanks alot. its very easy to make n awesome to taste.