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) cottage cheese cubes
 * 2 tablespoon(s) oil
 * 1 teaspoon(s) cumin seeds
 * 1 tablespoon(s) finely chopped garlic
 * 1 tablespoon(s) finely chopped ginger
 * salt to taste
 * 1 tablespoon(s) lemon juice
 * 2 tablespoon(s) 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. Squeeze out excess water gently and blend to a fine paste with the green chillies.
 * 3) Deep fry the cottage cheese cubes in moderately hot oil till light golden in color. Drain on absorbent paper.
 * 4) 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.
 * 5) Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan. Add the cumin seeds and let them crackle. Add the garlic and ginger. Fry briefly till the raw smell goes away. Add garam masala ( see the powder section on this site)
 * 6) Add the chopped spinach puree, salt and mix well. Add tomato puree or diced tomates and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Add water if required to get a gravy of desired consistency and bring to a boil.
 * 7) Add the deep fried cottage cheese cubes and stir to mix gently. Mix in the lemon juice. Simmer for about 4 minutes. Put off the heat and mix in the cream.
 * 8) Garnish with chopped fresh coriander and cream.
 * 9) Best eatern with Roti or Naan.