When preparing palak paneer, how do I get a smoky flavor from the palak?

Question

when trying this dish at some restaurants, a certain smoky flavor seems to arise

Answer 1

The use of ground cumin adds an earthy smoky taste to foods and is prevalent in Indian cuisine.  I love palak paneer, one of my personal favorites!

Answer 2

You can get the smoky flavor in a dish by dry roasting the spices first in a pan. Grind the roasted spices into powder and add to the dish for a smoky flavor.