Bengali Spinach

Ingredients

5/8 c almonds
2 c warm water
3 tb ghee
1 ts black mustard seeds
1/2 ts cumin seeds
1/4 ts fenugreek
1 1/2 tb brown sugar
1/2 tb ginger
1 ts green chilies
2 lb trimmed spinach
3/8 c coconut
1 ts salt
2 tb water
1/8 ts nutmeg

Instructions

Soak nuts in warm water for 4 hours or overnight. Drain, wash & drain again. Heat ghee in a large pot over moderate heat. When hot, but not smoking, add the spice seeds & sugar. Fry till the seeds darken & the sugar caramelizes. Add the ginger, chilies, spinach, nuts, coconut & salt. Cover, reduce heat to low & cook for 10 minutes. Uncover, gently turn the spinach over. Add water if necessary. Cook for a further 10 minutes. Stir in the nutmeg & heat through for 1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with lemon & serve. Yamuna Devi, "The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking"