Palak Paneer (Spinach and Cottage Cheese)

Ingredients

• 1 pound/500 gms paneer (look below for recipe to make your own paneer)
• 2 medium-sized bunches of spinach (fresh, approximately 1 lb. or 500 gm.)
• 1/2 bunch fresh fenugreek leaves (approximately 1/4 lb./125 gms)
• 4 tbsp. vegetable oil (or canola/sunflower oil)
• 1 large onion (chopped fine)
• 1 large tomato (diced)
• 2 teaspoons garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
• Garnish: 1 tbsp. of butter

Directions

Steps to Make It

1. Cut the paneer into 1” cubes. Heat 2 tbsps of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and stir-fry the paneer till golden. Remove and drain on paper towels. Keep aside.
2. Add 2 tbsps of oil to the same pan and fry the onions in it till soft.
3. Add the ginger and garlic pastes and fry for a minute.
4. Add the spinach, fenugreek leaves, tomato, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and garam masala powders and mix well. Add salt to taste and mix well.
5. Cook till the spinach and fenugreek leaves are soft and like pulp. Mash well into a rough paste. If you prefer, you can also blend this paste in the food processor to get a smoother consistency.
6. Add the previously fried paneer cubes to this gravy and mix to coat the pieces.
7. Garnish with butter and serve hot with Chapatis (Indian flatbread), parathas (pan-fried Indian flatbread) or Makki Ki Roti (pan-fried maize bread).