Palak Paneer

As a child I used to wonder in awe when I watched Popeye gulp down loads of spinach! I used to struggle with finishing the portion of palak in my plate and amma used to make sure that it does'nt get transferred from my plate to anyone else's. But I realized much much later that I adored these greens in form of palak paneer. With all the goodness in spinach, I am sure it is still forced down many throats unwillingly... So for all those folks, try the recipe and who knows you just might be surprised to see them asking for a second serving!

Palak Paneer
Recipe inspired from my amma

Ingredients:

150 gm Paneer, (cut into cubes and shallow fried)
250 gm Spinach leaves, washed 
2 Onions,  (medium) chopped 
2 Garlic cloves, chopped 
2 Green chillies, chopped
small piece Ginger, chopped
1/4 tsp Cumin seeds 
2 Tomatoes, pureed 
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder 
1/4 tsp Red chilli powder 
1/4 tsp Coriander powder 
Salt, to taste 
Oil, as required

Method:

• In a large bowl, blanch (immerse in boiling water) the washed spinach leaves for around 5 - 8 mins. Once the leaves are wilted, drain them.
• Meanwhile heat little oil in pan and saute the chopped onions, ginger, garlic and green chillies until the raw smell goes. Now add this mixture to the spinach leaves and keep aside. Once cooled, blend this mixture to a thick paste (use very little amount of water, if required).
• Heat some more oil in a pan and splutter few cumin seeds. Then add the tomato puree/paste and cook for around 5 mins. 
• Now add the spinach mixture along with turmeric powder, red chilli powder and coriander powder. Let it cook for further 5 - 6 minutes under medium heat and closed lid. (You may add a little water, if the mixture is very thick.)
• Stir in the fried paneer cubes and continue cooking on low heat for another few minutes. Serve hot.

Notes: For better results, shallow fry the paneer cubes in butter/ghee. You may garnish the dish with some fresh cream as often served in restaurants. I like this best with hot basmati rice or paratha's. I have tried the same recipe replacing fried paneer cubes with fried potato cubes (aloo palak!) and they turned out well too.

                              ♥ Thank You ♥