Palak Paneer, Spinach with Cottage Cheese

All children like Palak Paneer, even if they dont like spinach by itself.

Items you need

Spinach - 3 bunches ( 1 lb each, triple washed, i dont cut the stems)

Onions - 1 1/2 large (Sliced finely)

Garlic - 6 or 7 cloves

Ginger - Thick 1 inch piece (peeled)

Tomatoes - 5 medium ones (diced)

Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon

Corainder powder - 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Salt - 1 1/2 teaspoon

Oil- 2 or 3 teaspoons

Method

-->Cut the spinach at the very end and wash very well. You don't need to really pluck the leaves If you are using frozen spinach, go to the next step. You should place the spinach in big bowl and fill water and transfer the spinach to a drainer, you will be able to see the mud in the water. This process has to be reapeated atleast 3 times before you start cooking the spinach.

-->Steam the spinach, in a pan, Do not add any water or salt to this. It will let out water.

--> Just take the spinach and reserve this water, You will use it later. Blend the spinach in a food processor to chop it.

-->In a different pan, on a medium flame, add the oil, once it is hot, add the cumin, one it starts to sizzle, add the garlic and ginger.

-->Once they start to get brown add the onions

--> Once they start to get brown add the tomatoes

--> Once the tomatoes start to stick to the pan, add the water you drained off the spinach and let it all cook together.

--> Once the tomatoes are mashed, blend this in a food processor

-->Mix the two together (the onions tomato puree with the spinach)

-->Add the Coriander powder and turmeric powder and salt to this and let it all simmer together for 10 minutes.

For the paneer, you may buy storebought ones or make it yourself. I will write another post on how to make paneer yourself. When you buy store bought one, make sure it has only 2 to 3 ingredients on the packet, which are milk, vinegar or citric acid. sometimes i see more ingredients on the paneer packet than necessary!

Cut the paneer in little squares and take a pan and add little oil and slightly toast the paneer on it and add to your spinach.

Palak Paneer is ready, eat with hot rotis!