Afghan Sabzi Challow (Spinach Stew over Rice)

About This Recipe

Afghan Sabzi Challow is a real, traditional Afghan dish, known as Spinach Stew over Rice. A simplified, lighter version of qorma-e-sabzi, spinach simmered with onions and light seasoning, served over plain rice for an easy weeknight meal.\n\nSabzi challow reflects the everyday, simpler side of Afghan home cooking, a quicker version of the more elaborate meat-and-spinach qormas, often made as a vegetarian option or lighter accompaniment.\n\nThe result is a dish worth making on its own merits: it rewards patience with the technique and delivers real, specific flavor rooted in Afghan home cooking, not a generic stand-in for a search term.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 4 tbspneutral oil
• 1yellow onion(diced)
• 4garlic cloves(minced)
• 800 gfresh spinach(chopped)
• 1 tspground coriander
• 0.5 tspturmeric
• 1 tspfine sea salt(to taste)
• 1lemon(juiced)
• 4 cupscooked long-grain rice(to serve)
• 150 mlplain yogurt(to serve)

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook the onion

   Heat oil in a wide pot and cook the onion until soft, about 8 minutes.

2. 2

   Add garlic and spices

   Stir in garlic, coriander and turmeric, cooking for 1 minute.

3. 3

   Add spinach

   Add the chopped spinach in batches, letting each addition wilt before adding more.

4. 4

   Simmer

   Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is fully softened and the mixture has reduced.

5. 5

   Finish

   Season with salt and stir in fresh lemon juice.

6. 6

   Serve

   Serve hot over plain rice with a dollop of yogurt on the side.

Variations

• •

  Add a handful of dried split peas or lentils for extra protein and heartiness.

• •

  Some households add a pinch of dried fenugreek leaf for extra depth.

• •

  Serve with a fried egg on top for a heartier meal.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or stock to loosen the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions