Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is one of the famous North Indian side dish served along with Chapathi, Roti, Naan or Kulcha. It is delicious side dish and easy to prepare and more than that, it has nutritional value. I have not added tomato in Palak Paneer. Since it taste like mosappu saaru when tomato is added into it. This taste just like Restaurant Palak Paneer.

My son likes to eat paneer in any form. Palak paneer is one of the way to make him eat palak along with paneer. Spinach contains an appreciable amount of iron along with other nutritional values. Its very good for kids growth. I make sure to prepare spinach dish once in a week or at least once in two weeks.

Sweet Corn Palak

Palak Bahar

Mushroom Spinach Sandwich

Ingredients:

Spinach / Palak          - 4 cups (tightly packed)

Paneer                   - 200 grams

Cumin seeds              - 1/2 tsp

Bay leaf                 - 1

Garlic                   - 1 tbsp (finely chopped)

Onion                    - 1 (finely chopped)

Green chilli             - 3

Sugar                    - 1 tsp

Oil                      - 1 tbsp

Garam Masala             - 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Fresh cream              - 2 to 3 tbsp (Optional)

Method:

Step 1 : Cut Paneer into cubes and immerse in warm water till use. This makes paneer soft. 

Step 2 : Wash spinach leaves thoroughly and transfer into colander to drain excess water. Boil 3 cups of water in a pan. Once the water starts boiling, then add spinach leaves into the water. Allow to cook spinach leaves for couple of mins(3 to 4 mins). Once it cooked, immediately transfer into cold water. This helps in retaining colour of spinach leaves. Otherwise, cook spinach leaves in microwave oven for 4 to 5 mins with 1/4 cup of water. Once its cooked in microwave oven, transfer into cold water. Do not discard the water used for cooking spinach leaves.

Step 3 : Blend the spinach leaves and green chilies in a blender into a smooth puree.

Step 4 : Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Saute till cumin seeds crackle. Then add finely chopped garlic and onion and fry till onion turns golden brown. Add salt and sugar and mix well. Add spinach puree into it and stir well. Add water (spinach boiled water) to the required consistency of the gravy. Allow to cook on medium flame for 5 to 7 mins. Adjust gravy by adding salt and garam masala for extra taste. Add Paneer cubes and fresh cream and mix well with the spinach gravy.

Serve Palak paneer along with Chapathi, Roti, Naan or Kulcha.

Note :

1) Consistency of the gravy can be vary by adding more water. Generally, I prefer semi thick gravy at my home.

2) Number of green chillies can be added based on individual taste bud.

Step by step pics:

 

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