Palak Paneer | Indian cottage cheese in spinach gravy

When I hear “Spinach” the character comes in my mind is Popeye who gets the skills and energy by consuming spinach. This sailor man eats the spinach through his pipe or gulps the entire content into his mouth from the can.

Well I am not sure whether he eat it raw, blanched or spiced.. LOL…That is just a cartoon story…

Spinach is one my favorite vegetable. Fresh spinach in supermarket always attract me and I grab 2 or 3 bunches. Most of the time I prefer to make thepla.

• Spinach leaves – 2 cup  (discard stems) clean, washed and chopped
• Indian Cottage cheese (Paneer) cubes – ½ cup
• Onion, finely chopped – 1 medium
• Tomato – 2 medium, chopped
• Ginger – 1/2 inch piece chopped
• Garlic – 2 clove chopped
• Green Chilies – 3 nos
• Cumin Seeds -1 teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder -½ teaspoon
• Red Chili Powder-½ teaspoon
• Garam Masala – ½ teaspoon
• Refined Oil – 1 tbsp
• Salt to taste

• Boil 4 water in a sauce pan in medium flame
• Add the spinach leaves and blanch for 2-3 minutes. Don’t close the pan.
• Strain and wash leaves under cold water.
• Discard the water and switch off the flame
• Grind the leaves into a smooth puree in a grinder jar..
• Transfer this to a bowl and keep aside..
• Add tomato , ginger, garlic and green chilies to the jar.
• Grind this to a smooth paste
• Transfer this to another bowl
• Heat oil in a pan  in medium to low flame and add cumin seeds and allow to crackle
• Add onion  and saute till it turn translucent
• Now add turmeric, red chili powder. Saute for few more seconds till the raw smell disappears
• Add tomato puree and stir.
• Allow the tomatoes to cook well. The gravy will dry up and you could see oil oozing out..
• Add spinach puree & salt. Stir well.
• Add the paneer cubes and garam masala.
• Let the gravy boil and cook for another 2 more minutes.
• Garnish few drops of cream

This goes well with parathas or roti (phulka) or rice

Notes:

• You need to wash the spinach leaves very well
• If your are using frozen paneer. Allow it to thaw