• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact
    • Press

Honey, Whats Cooking logo

March 2, 2011 13 Comments

Tofu Palak (Tofu and Sauteed Spinach)

 

It’s been a while since I last made tofu… here is a recipe my mom often makes.  I love the combination of spinach and tofu since they are both healthy.  This is a simple recipe that uses garlic, green chilies, and onion as the base sauteed with fresh spinach.  My mom typically does not add any sort of sour cream or cream at the end, however for this recipe I added 2 tablespoons of half & half, which isn’t terrible.  


My guinea pig for this recipe was my husband since he “hates” tofu, this way it would be a challenge to see if he truly liked the dish.  I’m not sure why people aren’t fond of tofu, in my opinion if you spice it up nicely it will taste really good.  Anyway, when my husband returned home from work I mentioned there was tofu in this dish and he should give it a try.  He didn’t make a face and tried it with an open mind and surprisingly he really enjoyed it.  Either he’s been living with me too long and has become more health conscious or he just loves anything I make.  Hmmm, I’d like to think it’s the latter.  Hope you like it.

TELL ME: Do you like tofu?  If so, how do you cook it?

NUTRITION: Spinach is loaded with tons of nutrients. It is rich in Vitamins A, C, and K, and is an excellent source of Iron and Folic Acid. Spinach is also a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids.  Tofu is an excellent source of Protein for vegetarians. It is also rich in Calcium and Iron.

INGREDIENTS:

For the tofu:

  • Tofu – 14 ounce package (preferably firm, cubed)
  • Olive Oil – 3/4 tbsp

For the saute:

  • Olive Oil – 1 tbsp
  • Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
  • Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Garlic – 3 cloves (chopped)
  • Green Chilies – 2 (chopped)
  • Red Onions – 2 small (chopped)
  • Fresh Spinach Leaves – 2 bunches (chopped)
  • Red Chili Powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Coriander Powder – 2 1/2 tsp
  • Garam Masala – 1 1/4 tsp 
  • salt to taste
  • Half & Half – 2 tbsp (optional)… or you can use Light Sour Cream or Light Cream

DIRECTIONS:
1. Here is the tofu package.

2. Start by cutting small cubes as follows:

3. Heat a pan on medium-high heat.  Once hot, add 3/4 tbsp of Olive Oil.  Add cubed tofu.  Let this saute for about 5-7 minutes.  Stir occassionally.

4. Chop the garlic and green chilies.  I used my Magic Bullet.

5. Chop the red onions.

6. Check on the tofu.  Season with salt.  Stir and let it go for another 5 minutes.  

7. Heat a pot on medium heat, once hot, add 1 tbsp of Olive Oil, cumin seeds, and turmeric powder. 

8. Once they sizzle, add the garlic, green chilies, and onions.  Season with salt.  Saute for about 5 minutes.

9. In the meantime, wash your spinach and chop.  

10. Check on your tofu.  You don’t want the tofu to be too crispy.  Turn off the stove.  Set aside.  

11. Check on the onions, this is what you should have.  

12. Add the spinach.  

13. Add salt, red chili powder, and coriander powder.  

14. Gently stir until the spinach wilts down, about 2 minutes. 

15. Allow the spinach to cook for 5 minutes.  

16. After 5 minutes, this is what you should have.

17. Add the tofu and gently combine.  Season with salt IF YOU NEED TO.

18. Cover and allow this to simmer for 5 more minutes.

19. Add garam masala.  Gently combine.  Turn off the stove.

20. Add 2 tbsp of half & half, optional.

21. Wait 15 minutes before serving.  Serve with brown rice or roti.  Should be tasty, let me know!

TELL ME: Do you like tofu?  If so, how do you cook it?

 

Recipes You Will Love:

Gummadikayi Vepudu | Kaddu Fry | Pumpkin Fry (vegan, gluten-free, healthy) Tofu Jalfrezi (Tofu cooked with Three Peppers) Aloo Masala Kati Roll | Sautéed Spicy Potatoes wrapped in a Roti (vegan) Aloo Matar | Potatoes and Green Peas (vegan, gluten-free, healthy)

Filed Under: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Healthy-ish Meals, Indian, Indian, Main Course, Recipes, Tofu, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vegetarian Tagged With: Recipes

Previous Post: « Havana Alma De Cuba | New York City (closed)
Next Post: Veggie Scampi | Mushrooms & Broccoli in a Garlic Butter Wine Sauce »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam says

    March 4, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    I love the flavors and textures of this dish.

    Reply
  2. Jey says

    March 4, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    This looks really tasty! I love that it is healthy and simple to prepare.

    Reply
  3. Cooking Gallery says

    March 4, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    This sounds like a great recipe! Yum!

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    March 4, 2011 at 11:51 pm

    This looks delicious and the textures of this dish are hard to beat. I'm new to your blog and have spent some time browsing through your earlier entries. I'm so glad I did. I really like the food and recipes you feature here. I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

    Reply
  5. sweetpeaskitchen.com says

    March 5, 2011 at 12:47 am

    This looks delicious! I like to add tofu to vegetable stir fry…mmmm…sooo good! 🙂

    Reply
  6. honeywhatscooking says

    March 6, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    @Mary – I am a big fan of your work too, your site has wonderful pictures and some of the best recipes. Thank you!

    Thanks everyone.

    Reply
  7. Jo Brown says

    June 30, 2011 at 11:27 am

    Hi,

    I loved the theme you used for your blog. not only that, you give great recipes.

    for this dish, i love the flavor and just makes me eat non-stop

    Reply
  8. Jeel says

    March 30, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    This looks great. Before you cook the tofu, do you drain the water out? I find that tofu is a little softer if you don't drain it..

    Reply
  9. honeywhatscooking says

    March 30, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    @Jeel – Yes, I do drain the water out. Then I cube it. Sauteing it as mentioned above helps firm up the tofu so it doesn't lose it's shape and texture. Hope this helps.

    Reply
  10. Kirsten says

    December 13, 2014 at 9:49 am

    I really have to try some of your recipes! They are looking so tasty!
    Greetings from Germany
    Kirsten

    Reply
  11. Mani says

    December 4, 2019 at 3:18 am

    I love tofu but can never find flavourful ways to make it. This recipe did it. Thank you Mrs Honey.?

    Reply
    • honeywhatscooking says

      December 8, 2019 at 4:14 am

      So glad to hear that.

      Reply
  12. Shirali says

    July 14, 2020 at 12:49 am

    Tried this and it turned out so good. I skipped the half and half but made a wrap out of it with yoghurt and mint chutney! Thanks for sharing 😌

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar





Subscribe

Don't miss a single post!

Trending

  • Mexican Pizza Taco Bell (vegetarian)
  • Indian Afternoon Tea
  • Bombay Grilled Sandwich (vegetarian, vegan option...
  • World’s BEST Spaghetti RAO’s Homemade Marina...
  • Gajar Ka Halwa | Indian Carrot Pudding (gluten-fre...
  • Tea Party Sandwiches (cucumber chutney, veggie cre...
  • Green Moong Dal Khichdi (healthy, gluten-free, veg...
  • Taco Bell Spicy Tostada (baked, vegetarian, gluten...

Footer

About Me

A foodie who is passionate about living a healthy-ish lifestyle, cooking, and traveling. You'll find a mix of everything here and lots of seasonal content. I moved from Jersey City leaving behind my family & friends to beautiful Southern California for love. I'm adjusting to the laid-back SoCal lifestyle and learning a lot about myself along the way. Come join me on a soul searching journey and I'll tell YOU "what's cooking" through my love for food, fashion, and travel.

MANGO 🥭 CHICKPEA KACHUMBER SALAD is delicious, MANGO 🥭 CHICKPEA KACHUMBER SALAD is delicious, refreshing, and healthy. This is a spin on the traditional Kachumber Salad with the addition of mango and chickpeas. This salad is sweet, spicy, tangy, and good for you!⁠
⁠
✔️ Healthy / Vegan / Gluten-free / Nutritious⁠
⁠
✔️ Recipe on the blog. Link in bio!⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#indiansalad #kachumbersalad #summerrecipes #indiansalsa #healthyrecipe #vegansalad⁠
⁠
PANEER TIKKA QUESADILLAS are mouthwatering! Here's PANEER TIKKA QUESADILLAS are mouthwatering! Here's an Indo-Fusion dish you will love! I made a delicious marinade for the paneer and sauteed it along with the veggies. Assemble your whole wheat quesadillas and cook until the cheese has melted. The best part about this dish is my "special taco sauce" which complements these quesadillas perfectly. ⁠
⁠
✔️ Vegetarian / Nutritious / Whole Wheat / Gluten-free option / Easy to make⁠
⁠
➡️ Recipe on the blog. Link in bio!⁠
⁠
✅ Follow @honeywhatscooking for more recipes!⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#paneerrecipes #quesadillas #paneertikka #paneer #mexicaninspired #paneertikkaquesadillas #indianfusion #indianfusionrecipes #indianfood #streetfood #castironcooking
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms who show up s Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms who show up selflessly every single day. Also, a happy mothers day to all of you who want to be moms. ❤️  This is the most challenging role of my life, but the journey is totally worth it. Krish has made me a stronger and happier person. He gives new meaning to my life.  And lastly, my kid couldn’t give me one nice picture of us in Hawaii… there’s either someone in the back or he’s making a face or he just wants to get away. He just can’t sit still for a minute… and with that a Happy Mother’s Day to me! 🥰
.
#happymothersday #mothersday #16monthsold #myhappiness #mybaby #mybabyboy
Vacationing with a kid has been a completely diffe Vacationing with a kid has been a completely different experience. While it’s nice to spend time as a family, dinners can get tough with a baby. Sanjiv and I enjoyed a romantic evening at House Without A Key in peace because Krish “thankfully” fell asleep (he was behind us I promise… swipe). It was so nice to converse with my better half over live music + cocktails, delicious food, and the BEST coconut cake (last pic). A memorable meal and evening! ❤️ #mylove 
.
#housewithoutakey @halekulanihotel #loveofmylife #waikikirestaurant #waikikitravel #hawaiitrip #datenight #familytrip
Aloha 🤙! Our first family trip! We made it to H Aloha 🤙! Our first family trip! We made it to Hawaii safe and sound, and Krish was pretty good on the plane. It’s my first time in Hawaii and I’m loving Waikiki… the beach, food, window shopping, and city life. I love being able to walk everywhere. It’s the perfect amount of action and relaxation for me. This is totally my kinda vacation 😎!  Krish has been loving all the people-watching… something he doesn’t do much of back home. He’s been flexible and has pretty much adjusted to our schedule. Thank you 🙏🏼 guys for all the food recommendations (Duke’s Hula Pie) and tips on traveling with a toddler. I can’t thank you all enough. ❤️ #myworld 
.
.
.
.
#familyvacation #familyof3 #waikiki #dukeswaikiki #hawaii #hawaiivacation #firstfamilyvacation
Follow Me On Instagram
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy

Subscribe for free recipes & monthly newsletter!

Don't miss a single post!

Recent Posts

  • Mexican Pizza Taco Bell (vegetarian)
  • Mango Chickpea Kachumber Salad (healthy)
  • Paneer Tikka Quesadillas (vegetarian)
  • Hara Bhara Kebab (vegan, healthyish)
  • Eggless Marble Cake
  • Tandoori Vegetarian Pizza with Jalapeno Cream Sauce

© 2022 Honey, What's Cooking.