Monday, August 17, 2015

Palak Paneer

Today's recipe is "Palak Paneer", it is very simple and nutritious Indian curry. Palak paneer can be eaten with roti, naan, jeera rice, or plane rice or anything else... it is simply up-to you :) so enjoy.

Sometimes if paneer (Cottage cheese) is not available (Like here in Japan) it can be replaced with Tofu.



Preparation time: 25 Minutes
Cooking Time: 15 Minutes

Serves 4 people.

INGREDIENTS:













  • Palak/Spinach 2 bunch 
  • Onion 1 medium size
  • Tomato puree 180 ml
  • Garlic 6 cloves
  • Ginger 0.7 cm
  • Panner/Cottage Cheese cubes 250 gram
  • Cumin seeds 5cc / 1 table spoon
  • Coriander powder 5cc / 1 table spoon
  • Turmeric powder 2.5cc / 1/2 table spoon
  • Garam masala 5cc / 1 table spoon
  • Chili powder 1cc / 1/4 table spoon
  • Salt 7.5 cc / 1 and 1/2 table spoon (or according to taste)
  • Oil (vegetable oil or olive oil) 60cc 
  • Water 1000 ml


PREPARATION:














  • Thaw the paneer cubes if using frozen paneer. Just put the paneer cubes in normal water and leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Wash the spinach/palak leaves thoroughly in running water and cut in medium size. 
  • Chop the onion into small pieces.
  • Grate garlic and ginger to make paste.

COOKING:
  • Boil 1000 ml water in a pan. Add spinach leaves in boiling water and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Remove spinach leaves from water and put in grinder or blender jar. Add 1 table spoon cumin seeds and 300 ml of water (same water which was used for boiling spinach leaves).
  •  Grind boiled leaves to make smooth paste and keep aside.
  • Heat the oil in a pan, add chopped onion and saute until golden brown over medium heat.
  • Add garlic ginger paste and fry for a minute.
  • Add coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, chili powder, salt, and tomato puree. 
  • Stir well and cook the mixture for about 3 minute (or till mixture starts to release oil) over medium low heat.   
  • Add paneer cubes and stir slowly, cook for another 5 minutes over medium low heat.


  • Add spinach/palak paste and stir well. Bring it to boil over medium heat.
  • Cook for two minutes over low heat. Palak paneer is ready to serve. :)