Monday, November 29, 2010

Palak Paneer / Indian Cottage Cheese in Spinach Gravy

Palak Paneer is a big favorite in my home. It is very rich in antioxidants and has a creamy texture to it. Addition of Indian Cottage Cheese / Paneer makes this dish very exotic. This dish goes very well with any  Indian flat bread like Roti, Naan, Kulcha or even with any simple rice dish. This recipe includes authentic  but simple spices in its preparation and is very colorful with red, white, green colors with a little bit of yellow hue to it. It is a very easy recipe to make and requires very few ingredients in its preparation.



Ingredients:

Spinach - 2 Cups
Tomatoes - Diced - 1 Cup
Paneer / Indian Cottage Cheese - 1 Cup (Cubed)
Butter - 2 Tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 Tsp
Cumin powder - 1 Tsp
Coriander Powder - 1 Tsp
Salt - To Taste

Method:
  • Take the spinach leaves and wash it well to remove any mud from the leaves. Baby spinach comes prewashed and tastes the best when used for this dish.

  • Take a pan and add some water  and heat it. Now add the spinach leaves to it.

  • Let the Spinach wilt for sometime and turn off heat.

  • Drain the spinach well and blend it into a fine puree.

  • In a pan, melt 2 Tbsp of butter.

  • Now add the cumin seeds.

  • Add the Paneer cubes and saute it well until it gets a light golden crust.


  • Now add the diced tomatoes to this and mix it well and cook for about 3-4 minutes. 


  • To this add turmeric powder and red chilli powder.



  • Then some add cumin powder and coriander powder.



  • Now add the Spinach puree to this and mix well.

  • Mix all the ingredients well and cover and cook for about 7-8 minutes.
  • Keep stirring in between once or twice so that it does not burn at the bottom.


  • Serve hot with any Indian bread of your choice and enjoy.