Malabar spinach is a leafy green powerhouse, boasting an impressive array of nutritional benefits and culinary uses. Its vitamin A and C-rich profile, combined with its folate and manganese content, make it a valuable addition to a variety of dishes – from soups and stir-fries to salads and curries. With its versatility and wealth of nutrients, Malabar spinach is an exciting ingredient to work with, offering endless opportunities for creative recipe experimentation.
Native to tropical Asia, Malabar spinach is also known as Chinese spinach, Ceylon spinach, or vine spinach, among other names. The two main varieties are red and green, with the green variety being the more commonly available one. As its popularity continues to grow, you can now find it in many Asian supermarkets and farmers’ markets.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting to explore the world of Malabar spinach, we’re thrilled to share 12 exceptional recipes to help you get started on your culinary journey!
Tomato-Malabar Spinach Quiche
Indulge in a scrumptious Tomato-Malabar Spinach Quiche, effortlessly baked to perfection! This delightful dish boasts a crispy pie crust, overflowing with a rich filling comprising tomato base, caramelized onion rings, pungent garlic, nutritious Malabar spinach, sweet basil, and tender potatoes. The crowning glory is a creamy concoction of eggs, milk, and melted cheddar cheese.
Its versatility lies in its ability to accommodate personal preferences, allowing for the addition of herbs and aromatics to amplify the flavor profile. A crowd-pleaser, this quiche recipe is a testament to the power of simplicity and flexibility, making it an instant favorite among food enthusiasts. The best part? It’s just one of many mouth-watering Malabar spinach recipes we adore!
Stir-Fried Malabar Spinach
Malabar spinach shines in Chinese stir-fry recipes, showcasing its rich flavor profile when paired with a savory sauce. In this mouth-watering recipe, the vegetable is sautéed with tender pieces of steak, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic garlic, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
A unique blend of sugar, sake, oyster sauce, and water is carefully crafted to enhance the natural sweetness of the Malabar spinach, while the savory notes of the steak and mushroom come together in perfect harmony. To complete this delectable dish, a touch of cornflour is added to thicken the sauce, best served with steaming hot rice for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Malabar Spinach Soup (Chan Choy Tong)
Indulge in a comforting and light bowl of Chinese-styled Malabar spinach soup, perfect for busy individuals seeking a quick pick-me-up after a long day. This recipe is designed to be fast-paced, boiling down to just minutes, allowing you to enjoy the flavors without waiting hours. The secret to its addictive taste lies in its savory base, crafted from dried anchovies and ground pork.
For an added layer of depth, salted duck egg is incorporated, creating a harmonious union that will leave you craving more. Pair this delectable soup with steamed rice for a satisfying and warming meal.
Vietnamese Malabar Spinach & Ground Beef Soup
Malabar spinach also shines in a Vietnamese-inspired light and clear soup, showcasing its versatility as a culinary ingredient. To create this flavorful broth, ground beef is initially seasoned and cooked until browned, then water and additional aromatics are added to simmer the spinach. A key component of many Vietnamese dishes, fish sauce plays a crucial role in enhancing both the beef and stock flavors.
For a well-rounded meal, serve with steamed jasmine rice and a protein-rich accompaniment for an authentic Asian-inspired dining experience.
Malabar Spinach Lentil Fritters
Indulge in the flavors of India with this easy-to-make Malabar Spinach Lentil Fritters recipe. While it’s a straightforward recipe, you may need to venture out to your local Indian grocery store to source some key ingredients. The fritter mixture consists of flour, seasonings, Malabar spinach, and masoor dal – a harmonious blend that yields crispy and flavorful results.
Simply combine the Malabar spinach with the other ingredients to create a smooth batter, then fry them in hot oil until golden brown. With this recipe, you’ll be enjoying crispy Indian snacks in no time!
Malabar Spinach And Wild Mushroom Stir-fry
Indulge in the rich flavors of this Malabar Spinach and Wild Mushroom Stir-fry, an effortlessly delightful dish that’s sure to please. The harmonious combination of tender spinach, earthy mushrooms, ginger, garlic, green onions, and savory soy sauce creates a culinary experience that’s impossible to resist. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy home cooks, requiring minimal effort yet yielding maximum flavor.
Serve it with fluffy white rice and your favorite protein for a satisfying meal that will leave you wanting more.
Malabar Spinach & Kimchi Korean Pancakes
Indulge in a delectable fusion pancake experience by trying out the Malabar Spinach & Kimchi Korean Pancake recipe. The tanginess of the kimchi provides a delightful contrast, perfect for those who appreciate the bold flavors of Korean cuisine. Meanwhile, the Malabar spinach contributes its unique texture and enhances the nutritional profile of this dish, harmoniously complementing the spicy kick from the kimchi.
Simply pan-fry until crispy to create an exceptional Korean fusion delight that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
Malabar Spinach In Prawn Gravy/Bassela-Yetti Gravy
Indulge in the bold flavors of India with this exotic recipe. Malabar Spinach in Prawn Gravy is a hearty, aromatic dish that combines the richness of dried shrimp, succulent prawns, and creamy coconut milk with a blend of spices and chilies. Perfect for a chilly day, this flavorful curry pairs well with a variety of accompaniments, including fluffy rice, crusty bread, or warm naan. As you savor each bite, the gentle heat will leave you yearning for another serving.
Malabar Spinach And Black-Eyed Peas Curry
Malabar spinach, a popular Indian ingredient, shines in this recipe that combines it with black-eyed peas. The harmonious blend of spices yields an incredibly flavorful curry that’s both aromatic and delicious. For those who enjoy a little heat, the spiciness can be adjusted to taste by tweaking the number of chilies used. Serve this curry alongside fluffy rice for a satisfying meal experience.
Spinach Shakshuka
Give your next brunch a flavorful twist by substituting the conventional red tomatoes in your shakshuka recipe with Malabar spinach, tomatillos, jalapeños, and cilantro. The resulting dish is a masterclass in bold flavors, boasting a delightful harmony of spicy and tangy notes that will leave you craving more.
This unique shakshuka variation has earned a special place among our favorite recipes, thanks in part to the aromatic depth contributed by a blend of cumin, coriander, caraway, and turmeric. Serve it with some crusty bread or garlic bread for a satisfying weekend brunch that’s sure to become a new family tradition.
Spinach Cutlets (Bajiyechin Katlisaan)
Indulge in the flavorful fusion of aromatics, potatoes, and Malabar spinach with these scrumptious spinach cutlets, ideal for satisfying mid-day cravings or complementing dinner. Aromatic spices and potatoes harmonize as they cook alongside the spinach leaves, which are then expertly shaped into oval-cutlets. To add a satisfying crunch, the cutlets are coated in gram flour and pan-fried to a golden brown perfection. The result is a spicy and mouthwatering Indian snack that’s sure to delight.
Spinach Salad With Bacon And Roasted Mushrooms
Indulge in the rich flavors of this Spinach Salad with Bacon and Roasted Mushrooms, a perfect accompaniment to a low-carb or keto diet. The best part? It’s astonishingly easy to prepare. Begin by roasting bacon, mushrooms, and onions in the oven until the bacon reaches a satisfying crispness. Next, craft the dressing by combining olive oil, lime juice, oregano, and salt, then heat it up in the microwave for added depth of flavor.
Toss the roasted ingredients atop Malabar spinach, then drizzle the dressing over the salad to bring everything together. This delightful creation is sure to become a staple in your repertoire – you’ll never tire of its mouthwatering goodness!
Instructions
To prepare the ingredients, start by rinsing the Malabar spinach under cold water, then pat it dry to remove excess moisture. Trim any long stems or discard larger fibrous leaves. Slice the mushrooms and pork into thin strips, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Mince the garlic and chilies, removing the chili seeds for added flavor. In a separate bowl, combine the stock, fish sauce, and oyster sauce. Next, heat some oil in a pan or wok over medium-low heat.
Sear the minced garlic until it starts to turn golden brown, then add the sliced pork and stir-fry for a few minutes until cooked through. Add the mushrooms and continue stirring until they’re also cooked. Introduce the Malabar spinach, giving it a quick stir before pouring in the prepared sauce. Allow everything to simmer gently over low-medium heat until the spinach is just wilted, then finish with a flourish by adding the minced chilies.
Serve this delectable dish alongside steamed rice and indulge in the flavorful fusion.
Notes
To achieve the perfect texture, it’s crucial not to overcook the Malabar spinach, as this will cause it to become slimy. A similar approach applies to the oyster mushrooms – a brief boiling beforehand will make them easier to cook and less prone to becoming soggy. Note that nutrition information provided is an estimate only, and actual values may vary depending on specific ingredients used.
