Kafuli
An authentic vegetarian recipe from Uttarakhand, India
Cook Time
35 mins
Servings
4 servings
Difficulty
MediumCategory
VegetarianIngredients
For 4 servings
300g Spinach (palak)
150g Fenugreek leaves (methi)
6piece Garlic cloves
15g Fresh ginger
3piece Green chillies
100g Onions
20g Rice flour
30ml Ghee
20ml Mustard oil
5g Cumin seeds
1g Asafoetida (hing)
3g Turmeric powder
4g Red chilli powder
5g Coriander powder
7g Salt
200ml Water
16 ingredients needed
💡 Pro Tip: Gather all ingredients before you start cooking for a smooth preparation process.
Cooking Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to prepare this authentic dish
Wash the spinach and fenugreek leaves thoroughly. Blanch in boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Drain and immediately transfer to cold water to preserve the green color. Squeeze out excess water.
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Blend the blanched greens with garlic, ginger, and green chillies into a smooth puree. Set aside.
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Heat mustard oil in a heavy pan over medium heat until it smokes lightly. Add cumin seeds and asafoetida; let the cumin splutter.
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Add finely chopped onions and fry until golden, about 6 minutes.
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Add turmeric, red chilli powder, and coriander powder. Stir for 1 minute.
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Add the green puree and cook on medium heat for 5–6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the raw smell disappears and the mixture darkens slightly.
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Mix rice flour with 50 ml cold water to make a smooth slurry. Add to the greens and stir well — this thickens the kafuli to its characteristic creamy consistency.
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Add remaining water and salt. Simmer on low heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kafuli is thick and creamy.
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Finish with a generous drizzle of ghee and stir through.
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Serve hot with mandua (finger millet) roti or steamed rice.
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Chef's Tips
Kafuli is a traditional Garhwali dish — the combination of spinach and fenugreek is classic, but other local greens like bathua (chenopodium) can also be used.
Rice flour is the traditional thickener; it gives kafuli its distinctive smooth, creamy texture without making it heavy.
Do not skip the ghee finish — it adds richness and is essential to the authentic flavor.
Blanching the greens before blending preserves their bright color and reduces bitterness.
About This Dish
Kafuli is a traditional vegetarian dish from Uttarakhand, India. This authentic recipe provides exact measurements for cooking 4 servings.
- Kafuli is a traditional Garhwali dish — the combination of spinach and fenugreek is classic, but other local greens like bathua (chenopodium) can also be used. - Rice flour is the traditional thickener; it gives kafuli its distinctive smooth, creamy texture without making it heavy. - Do not skip the ghee finish — it adds richness and is essential to the authentic flavor. - Blanching the greens before blending preserves their bright color and reduces bitterness.
Category
Vegetarian
Cook Time
35 mins
Servings
4 servings
Difficulty
Medium