Spinach in your soup
This thick mushy broth from Uttaranchal is nourishing as well as tasty

uttarakhand is a small state, with most of its land covered by forest. The rest, too, is largely rugged terrain. Only the ‘river valleys’ are irrigated well enough to yield satisfying crops. Understandably, people here have had to subsist on a frugal diet.

The challenge for those who cook has always been to prepare meals that aren’t only nourishing but also tasty. Ingredients are limited, and only innovations and improvisations can come to help. At the same time, there are a few traditional recipes so basic — forgotten elsewhere — that these seem sparkling original creations. One of these is kapa.

Leafy greens are considered to be a healthy fare and among the ‘greens’ spinach, the favourite of super powerful Popeye is the top of the heap. Residents of Uttarakhand claim that their soil produces the best anywhere in the world and those who have tasted it once, aren’t hard to convince and convert, except Kashmiris, who swear by their own haq.

We must declare at the outset a conflict of interest — born in Kumaon, we feel haq isn’t in the same league but let us not digress. Palang as palak is called in our parts is cooked in two distinct forms — tinariya, a dry crunchy fresh green that is paired with a large spoonful of ghee and relished with rice; kapha — thick mushy broth that has a dull green hue but has more body and flavour. The tempering of dried red chillies (optional) is an added bonus.

Ingredients

Spinach 1 kg

Rice flour ½ cup

Ghee ¼ cup

Green chillies 2-3

Dried red chillies (optional) 2

Garlic cloves 3-4

Salt to taste

Method

Boil the spinach and blend to a puree, along with the chillies. Heat ghee in a pan and put the puree in it. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Dilute rice flour in a cup of water and add to the spinach. Cook for another 20 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. Heat a little ghee and brown the garlic and dried red chilies, if using. Use any other tempering of your choice. Remember to check seasoning as spinach has a high salt content. Enjoy with phulka or steamed rice.

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