Palak paneer

Palak paneer is a popular North Indian dish made with spinach and cottage cheese.  A good combination of rich and healthy food and perfect accompaniment for rotis, naans and pulao.

Ingredients

  • Spinach/palak leaves - 1 medium bunch (blanched and pureed)
  • Cottage cheese/paneer - 15 pieces
  • Onion - 1 (chopped finely)
  • Tomatoes - 2 (blanched and pureed)
  • Green chillies - 2
  • Garlic cloves - 4
  • Ginger - 1 inch small piece (peeled)
  • Red chilli powder - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Garam masala powder - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt to taste
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Milk - 1/4 cup
  • Cooking oil

Method

Step 1

Remove the stem from spinach and wash the spinach leaves thoroughly.

Step 2

Boil sufficient water in a vessel. When it reaches the boiling point, switch off the flame. Add spinach leaves and a pinch of sugar and close the vessel with a lid. Adding sugar helps in retaining the green colour of spinach

Step 3

Drain the water after 10 minutes. Grind the spinach alongwith green chillies, garlic and ginger to a smooth paste and keep aside

Step 4

Blanch the tomatoes. Puree them and keep aside.

Step 5

Dice the paneer into small cubes. Heat oil in a pan. Add the paneer pieces and shallow fry till light brown. Drain and set aside.

Step 6

In the same pan, add cumin seeds. When the seeds crackle, add chopped onions and saute till light brown.

Step 7

Add spinach paste and mix well and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on a low flame.

Step 8

Add tomato puree, red chilli powder, salt and garam masala powder and mix well. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 9

Add milk and fried paneer pieces and stir lightly. Simmer for a couple of minutes or till it reaches a thick consistency.

Step 10

Serve hot with rotis, naans or pulao.

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