Swetha's Fusion

Palak Paneer | Spinach and Cottage Cheese Curry

Friday, July 09, 2021

Palak Paneer curry is one more North Indian side dish. I found this recipe in Malika Baderinath's '100 Vegetarian Gravies' recipe book. I have been having this book for decades, I have tried and learned many of the recipes from this book. Yes, like everyone else, I too add bit of a my own twist to it.

Ingredients:

2 bunch - Spinach leaves(washed)
2 cups - Paneer (cubes)
3 - green chilies
1 - onion (large) -chopped
2 - tomato - chopped
1" - ginger- chopped
10 - garlic cloves
½ tsp - cumin seeds
½ tsp - turmeric powder
½ tsp - red chili powder
½ tsp - cumin powder
½ tsp - coriander powder
½ tsp - garam masala powder
½ tsp - amchur powder
1 tsp - grated paneer (optional)
1 tbsp - masoor dal
2 tbsp - fresh cream
4 tbsp - oil or ghee
Salt as per taste

Method:

Wash and cook masoor dal with 1 cup of water. I usually cook in microwave for about 5 minutes. keep aside.
In a wide pan, heat ½ oil. Add paneer cubes and roast slight and keep aside. [ I soak the roasted paneer in salted butter milk for 10 minutes - this is an optional step. Helps keep the paneer soft and adds bit of a flavor ]
Boil water in a pan, add washed spinach leaves, live it for a minute, turn off the flame.
Remove the spinach and drop it in ice cold water. This process cooks the spinach, retains the flavor and color. transfer the boiled spinach in to a blender jar.

Heat oil/ghee in a pan, add chopped green chilies, ginger, and garlic.
Next add onions and fry it on medium flame till it turns translucent.
Now add chopped tomato, saute on medium flame till it is cooked
Turn off the flame and let the mixture cool. After it is cooled, transfer the fried ingredients in to the same blending jar with blenched spinach
Add little water and blend it into thick paste, keep it aside.
In the same pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds. Stir for few seconds and then add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder and cumin powder.
Add cooked masoor dal and saute.

Stir-in the prepared spinach, onion, tomato paste.
Cover and cook it for 2-3 minutes on medium flame.
Now add fresh cream and paneer cubes.
Also add garam masala powder, amchur powder and salt to taste, mix it well.

Cover the pan and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until done, then turn off the flame.
Transfer it to serving dish, garnish with fresh cream and grated paneer,
Palak paneer is ready to serve. Enjoy!