Spinach & Cottage Cheese Curry - Palak Paneer

Vegetarian dishes in Indian cuisine are fabulous and varied, with so many amazing ingredients that are used to create wonderful flavours. Some of my favourite ingredients not just for taste but also for the nutritional goodness are Spinach and Paneer, so when there is a delicious curry using both, it's no surprise that it's a regular on the menu! 

There are so many different versions of Palak Paneer and everyone finds their own way of making it. Here's my version that is quick, easy and is delicious everytime!

Ingredients: 500 grams Spinach leaves or frozen Spinach, about 300 grams Paneer chopped into cubes,1 onion chopped, few dry red chillies, 1 tbsp garlic smashed, 1 tbsp ginger smashed, 1 tomato chopped, 1tsp cumin, 1tsp garam masala, 1 tsp cumin powder, salt to taste.

Make:

1. Blanch the Spinach leaves and cool immediately by a little adding cold water (don't add too much as you can use this extra water to grind so mo wasting nutrients).

2. In a pan, heat a bit of oil and add red chillies, cumin seeds, garlic, ginger, chopped onion. Sautè until onion is cooked then add tomatoes. Add in the blanched Spinach and mix together. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. 

3. Grind the whole mixture into a puree, adding water as needed to get a thick gravy texture.

4. In the pan again, add a little butter/oil and add in the paneer cubes. Roast for a few minutes until it is soft. Now add garam masala, cumin powder, salt to taste. Finally add in the Spinach puree, mix and simmer on low flame for 5mins. 

Enjoy hot Palak Paneer with Jeera Rice or Rotis!