Palak paneer

Palak Paneer (Spinach and cottage cheese curry) is a healthy and tasty dish. Both these ingredients have so many health benefits, which makes them a very good choice for all age groups. 

This dish is loaded with vitamins, protein, iron and calcium which is very good for bones, skin and eyes. If your children are reluctant to eat spinach, try this recipe. Try to incorporate spinach into your diet at least three times a week. It is also a great option for diabetic patients.

If you’re using frozen paneer, make sure you thaw it for at least thirty minutes; then soak in hot water for five minutes and drain. In case you’re wondering, lemon juice and sugar balances out the bitterness of spinach. 

Ingredients

1.Paneer (cottage cheese), 200 g
Oil, 3 tbs
Cumin seeds, ¼ tsp
Onion (finely chopped), 1no or 120 g
Tomato (chopped), ½ or 50g
Green chili, 2 nos.
Water, 3+ 1 1/2 cups 
Spinach, a bundle
Butter, 1 tbs
Garlic (finely chopped), ½ tbs
Ginger (finely chopped), ½ inch or ¼ tsp
Chili powder (kashmiri chili), 1 tsp
Coriander powder, 1 tsp
[Optional] Homemade pepper powder, ¼ tsp
Turmeric powder, ½ tsp
Garam masala, ½ tsp
Red chili whole (broken), 1 no.
Fresh cream, 2 tbs
Lemon juice, ½ tbs
Sugar, ½ tsp

Preparation:

De-stem the spinach and wash four times; soak in water for thirty minutes. Organic spinach need not be soaked. 
Heat two tablespoon oil in a frying pan. Add cumin seeds and saute for a few seconds.
Add onion, tomato, green chili and saute with one teaspoon salt over a medium flame, until the onion turns translucent. Remove from flame and allow to cool.
Boil three cups of water in a saucepan and add spinach. Boil for two minutes, then strain.
Rinse with cold water to cool, then set aside.
Meanwhile grind the onion mix with half cup water. Add spinach and grind to a fine paste.
Heat one tablespoon oil in a thick bottomed saucepan and add butter.
Add ginger, garlic, red chili, and saute for one minute over a low flame.
Add chili powder, coriander powder, pepper powder, turmeric powder and garam masala, and saute for few seconds.
Add spinach paste,one cup water and  cook for three minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking to the bottom.
Add paneer and mix well. Cook for another three minutes.
Add fresh cream and sugar, mix again.
Turn off the flame and stir in lemon juice. Check salt.
Your Palak Paneer is ready. Enjoy with paratha, nan or chapati 😊