Culinary Delights of Kerala

Palak Paneer is a rich and creamy curry that goes best with Naan, roti or even rice. Its very delicious and nutritious. Its a combination of spinach, paneer (Cottage cheese) and heavy cream. Spinach is high in Iron and Cottage cheese is high on proteins. Its easy to prepare.... For a healthy version of the recipe replace cottage cheese with Tofu ... And instead of heavy cream add fat free milk.


Ingredients:

Set 1:
Spinach - 1 pkt or frozen Spinach - 1 pkt
Onion - 1
Garlic - 2-3 cloves
Green Chilli - 2-3
Tomato - 1

Set 2:
Paneer - 1 pkt - diced into small square pieces
Onion - 1 diced to small pieces
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Garam Masala - 2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1tsp
Oil for frying paneer
Salt to taste
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Cilantro leaves a bunch chopped
Chilli powder - to taste if not spicy enough

Wash the spinach and drain any excess water. In a pan add 1 tsp oil and then add the peeled garlic cloves, green chilli and onion. Saute for 3-4 mnts or till onion is slightly yellowish in color. Then add the drained spinach leaves and cook it well for 8-10 mnts. When cooled down make it a puree in a blender and keep aside. In a pan boil tomato ( or microwave tomato in a bowl with a little water for 2-3 mnts) till the skin breaks open. Then remove the skin of tomato and puree that too and keep aside.

In a pan pour enough oil and fry the paneer till it is golden brown and keep aside. In a pan add 2 tsp oil and saute the diced onion from set 2 . When fried add all masala powders and then add the pureed spinach & tomato. Then add salt and sugar to taste. When spinach starts to thicken add w little water or milk. Then add the chopped cilantro leaves and fried paneer. Simmer it and let it boil for 3-4 mnts.

After removing from heat add 2-3 tbsp of heavy cream - optional