Palak Paneer(Spinach and cottage cheese curry)

Palak paneer is an authentic Indian cuisine. It has got all the goodness of Spinach and cheese. 

It had been a month since i started craving for the palak paneer. Its great with chapati and nan.

In Germany we get frozen spinach as "spinat gemuse".  I really like them, its so easy to cook with the frozen cubes. But fresh spinach are always better and healthy. 

Here's is my version of Palak paneer.

Preparation Time- 15 mins

Cooking time- 30 Mins

Serves- 4

Ingredients:

• Spinach leaves/ frozen spinach- 500 gms
• Paneer- 250 gms
• Green Chilly- as per taste
• Onion- 1 large, finely chopped
• Ginger garlic paste- 1 Tbsp
• Tomato -1 finelly chopped or pureed
• Cream- 2Tbsp
• Salt as per taste
• Water for cooking
• Oil for cooking
• Butter- 1 Tbsp
• Cinnamon sticks or cinnamon powder

Masalas/Spices

1. Turmeric powder- 1Tsp
2. Cumin powder- 2 Tsp
3. Coriander powder- 1.5 Tbsp
4. Pepper Powder- 1Tsp
5. Pesto- 1 Tbsp(optional)

Mix all the masala and prepare a fine paste by adding water to it or with the help of tomato puree.

Preparation:

• If you have whole spinach leaves- Wash them and boil them in water by adding little salt to it for 10 mins. Once boiled let it cool off a little and then in a blender , prepare its puree. If you have frozen cubes of spinach that is all fine.
• Heat 3 Tbsp of oil in a pan or kadai,  add cinnamon powder or stick, let the oil absorb the flavour. 
• Add the onion,salt for the onion and green chillies, saute until onions are golden brown.
• Add ginger garlic paste and saute for 2 mins.
• Add the masala paste and the remaining tomato puree, fry until oil separates from the masala.
• (optional- add pesto and fry for 1 minute. )
• At this point of time add the pureed spinach or frozen cubes of spinach, add little water, let it simmer in low heat for 2 mins. 
• By the time simmering happens, cut the paneer into cubes, heat butter in a pan and fry the paneer cubes until they get coated with light golden brown crust. season with salt.
• Once done add the fried paneer in the spinach. stir well and turn off the heat.
• Drizzle the cream over the curry.

Palak paneer is ready to be served. Serve it hot with Nan, Chapati or parotha.

Enjoy. :-) and Happy cooking.

How to make paneer????? checkout http://wahsushkitchen.blogspot.in/2012/09/paneercottage-cheese-how-to-prepare.html

By: Sushmita Pandit