A long time ago one of my Turkish net friends was telling me about this dish so I am deciding on how to make it. I seen a couple of variations of this dish on the net and decided to try it my way with a couple of variations of my own to throw in. However I really enjoyed this dish way too much and so did Mr. Riaz.
Only if you are using chickpeas or fava beans pressure cook ahead of time for 30 minutes after pressure builds up and safety button pops up on high heat. Turn off heat and let pressure escape on its own. If you want you can use even a mix of chickpeas and fava beans too. It is 1/2 cup for each or 1/2 a cup each of black and white each or simply use 1 cup of white or black chickpeas or fava beans. If beans are a little hard let cook for another 30 minutes and let pressure escape again.
Either fresh or frozen spinach can be used only. It is 1 bunch of spinach that is simply cut in to small pieces. Please retain the stems of the spinach? Put a dab of dish soap on the fresh spinach in a colander and keep rinsing with lots of clean cold water until it comes out clean and no traces of soap remains. This is the only way to remove grit.
If you are using frozen spinach then skip this step. It is 1 bag of frozen spinach, simply add to a pot 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 pats of butter. After this melts then add 1 onion or shallot cut in to half moon slices. Let them carmelize, add 6 cloves of garlic chopped and stir until you can smell this aroma. Add 1 pinch each of black peppercorns crushed in a mortar and pestle, paprika, red chili powder, either pink salt, seasoned salt or vegtea seasoning, the spinach either fresh or frozen, 1 tbs of tomato paste, if using beans use the juice that the beans are boiled in.
If you are not using chickpeas or fava beans then add either 1 cup of rice, bulgar, orzo or couscous, 1liter or 1 quart of water, bring to boil and let cook 15 minutes, if using orzo let cook ahead of time in rapidly boiling water according to package directions then add to spinach. If the contents inside the pot is a little dry then add 1/4 cup of milk and stir. In a bowl add 3 tbs of yogurt and whip until smooth. Add 1 tbs of cornstarch and stir again. Add 1/4 cup of water to yogurt cornstarch mixture to make a slurry and add to the spinach mixture in the pot. Let thicken a little and shut off the heat. As far as rice is concerned, I prefer the short to long grain white rice only for this dish.
If you prefer to have it alone as a side dish with fish poultry or meat or as a main course. Anyway it is simply delicious.
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