Palak Paneer

Description

 * Ethnicity - Punjabi, North Indian
 * Type of meal - Party, Lunch, Dinner

Ingredients

 * 600 grams (about 24 oz.) tender spinach washed
 * 2 green chillies chopped
 * 2 cup(s) paneer cubes
 * 2 tablespoons oil
 * 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
 * 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
 * 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
 * salt to taste
 * 1 tablespoon lemon juice
 * 2 tablespoons cream
 * 2 tomatoes thinly diced or half cu tomato puree

Directions

 * 1) Blanch the spinach in lots of boiling salted water for about 3 minutes.
 * 2) Refresh in chilled water.
 * 3) Squeeze out excess water gently and blend to a fine paste with the green chillies.
 * 4) Deep fry the cottage cheese cubes in moderately hot oil till light golden in color.
 * 5) Drain on absorbent paper. Note : if you do not want to deep fry the cheese cubes then you can just add them as it is when the dish is almost ready.
 * 6) Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan.
 * 7) Add the cumin seeds and let them crackle.
 * 8) Add the garlic and ginger.
 * 9) Fry briefly till the raw smell goes away.
 * 10) Add garam masala
 * 11) Add the chopped spinach puree, salt and mix well.
 * 12) Add tomato puree or diced tomatoes and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
 * 13) Add water if required to get a gravy of desired consistency and bring to a boil.
 * 14) Add the deep fried cottage cheese cubes and stir to mix gently.
 * 15) Mix in the lemon juice.
 * 16) Simmer for about 4 minutes.
 * 17) Put off the heat and mix in the cream.
 * 18) Garnish with chopped fresh coriander and cream.
 * 19) Best eaten with roti or naan.