Palak Paneer

Palak paneer is a famous Indian vegetarian dish consisting of spinach and paneer in a thick curry sauce, it’s one of the most popular dishes in Indian restaurants worldwide and is commonly served in buffets,  I am uploading this recipe on special request from a friend, I am quite sure once you make it you will defiantly add it to your list of favorites.

Ingredients:

1/2 kg spinach/palak

200 gm cottage cheese/paneer

3 tbsp butter

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp  qasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)

2 tomatoes (pureed)

2 green chilies (optional)

1 large onion (finally chopped)

Salt (to taste) or use ¾ tsp leveled

½ tsp red chili powder

½ tsp white pepper powder

½ cup milk

½ cup cream

½ tsp garam masala powder

½ tsp crushed cumin seeds

Method:

1) Remove the leaves from stems and chop roughly. Soak it in water for some time so all the dirt settles down, wash it again. You might need to do it 2-3 times till the water gets clear from dirt.

2) Blanch the chopped spinach leaves for 2-3 minutes, drain out the water. Cool quickly by holding under running water in a colander, put it in a blender along with chopped green chilies and blend it nicely.

3) Heat the butter  in a pan, add onions fry till light brown, add cumin seeds and ginger & garlic paste, stir for 2 minutes then add purred tomatoes , salt, red chili powder and fry it well (sprinkle some water if you need to in between)

4)Add in the pureed spinach along with i/2 cup of milk, dry fenugreek leaves, white pepper powder and let it cook for some time.

 5)Meanwhile cut the cottage cheese in cubes and deep fry them in hot oil for 20-30 seconds on until they are light golden in color.

6) Now add cream, black and white pepper in it, cook for 3-4 minutes and add fried cheese cubes in it. Turn the flame off. Serve it with white rice, roti,  naans or parathay.