Palak Paneer Recipe: A Hearty Vegetarian Indian Meal

Palak Paneer is a popular North Indian dish that combines the earthy flavor of spinach with the creamy texture of cottage cheese. This dish is rich in iron, calcium, and protein and is a great way to incorporate nutrient-dense spinach into your diet. The spinach puree for this recipe is made with garlic, ginger, and green chilies to add a spicy kick to the dish. The paneer or cottage cheese is lightly fried and added to the spinach puree, creating a hearty and flavorful dish that can be served with rice or naan bread.

Ingredients:

• 250 grams of paneer or cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch ginger, grated
• 2-3 green chilies, chopped
• 2 bunches of spinach, cleaned and chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup water
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cut the paneer or cottage cheese into bite-size cubes and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chilies to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the chopped spinach to the pan and stir well to coat with the onion-ginger-garlic mixture.
5. Add the cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri chilli powder, garam masala, and salt to taste. Mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes to toast the spices and release their fragrance.
6. Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and let the spinach simmer for 5-7 minutes until it has wilted and is fully cooked.
7. Blend the spinach mixture in a blender or food processor until it forms a smooth puree.
8. In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the paneer cubes to the pan and fry them until they are lightly golden on all sides.
9. Add the spinach puree to the pan with the fried paneer and mix well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the paneer has absorbed the flavors of the spinach puree.
10. Serve the Palak Paneer hot with rice or naan bread, garnished with fresh cilantro.

And there you have it - this recipe is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy the nutritious benefits of spinach and the creamy goodness of cottage cheese. The combination of spices and herbs, including garlic, ginger, green chilies, and garam masala, adds a complex and satisfying flavor to the dish.