Saag Aloo (Indian spinach and potatoes)

I was recently craving saag -- Indian spinach -- so I set out to find a good recipe. The only dish I was familiar with is saag paneer, pureed spinach with Indian cheese. I didn't have any such cheese, nor did I want to go buy any, so I searched for similar dishes and came across saag aloo, spinach and potatoes.

I stumbled across this on The Perfect Pantry, and it's delicious. The spiced spinach offers a creamy kick, and the potatoes provide heartiness to this meal. It was surprisingly good.

Ingredients

• 12 oz Yukon Gold or other new potatoes
• 9 oz fresh baby spinach leaves
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely sliced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, minced (optional)
• 2 tsp mashed garlic
• 2 tsp mashed ginger
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground red chile pepper or red pepper flakes (or, to taste)
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 8 oz canned chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste

Instructions

1. Trim potatoes of any blemishes, and place in a pot of cold water. Bring to the boil, and cook for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Drain, then soak in a bowl of cold water for up to 30 minutes to stop the cooking action. When the potatoes are cool, peel them if you wish, then cut into bite-size chunks.
2. While the potatoes are cooling, blanch the spinach in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain. Transfer to a food processor and blend to a puree. Set aside.
3. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, and continue cooking 2-3 minutes more, until the onions are browned. 
4. Add the jalapeño, garlic and ginger, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 
5. Then add the coriander, cumin, chile powder and turmeric, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 
6. Add the tomatoes and their juice, and the sugar, and increase heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, until the tomatoes have reached a paste-like consistency.
7. Add the potatoes, spinach and salt, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the whole mixture is well combined. Serve hot.

Serves 2 (maybe 3).