Recipe by Rosy Pinto
Ingredients:
For the palak puree:
200 gms tender palak/spinach (light to medium green in color)
2 medium cloves garlic
1/2 inch ginger
2 small green chillies
For the gravy:
100 gms paneer cubes
2 tsp oil (to fry paneer)
1 - 2 tbsp butter/ghee/oil
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1" cinnamon (optional)
2 cloves (optional)
2 cardamoms (optional)
1 small onion (chopped)
1 small tomato (chopped)
3 medium cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
pinch of turmeric powder
1-2 tsp lemon juice (optional)
1-2 tbsp fresh cream
salt as required
3/4 - 1 cup water (or as required)
Steps:
- Use only the palak leaves and discard the stems as they may leave a bitter taste. In a large vessel, rinse the leaves well a few times with water and drain in a colander.
- Boil 4 cups of water with 1/4 tsp of salt.
- When the water comes to a rolling boil, add palak leaves and switch off the flame.
- Blanch the palak leaves for 2 minutes
- After 2 minutes, remove the leaves and immediately immerse them in ice cold water for 2 minutes.
- In a blender or grinder jar, add the spinach/palak (drain the water completely) with chopped ginger, garlic and green chillies and blend to make a smooth palak puree without adding water and set it aside.
- Heat a pan with 2 tsp of oil and fry paneer on medium heat until lightly browned, remove and set aside.
- To the same pan, add butter and melt on low flame.
- Add cumin and let them splutter.
- Add cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and saute.
- Add chopped garlic and onion, fry until golden.
- Add chopped tomato, salt and mix.
- Once the tomatoes are softened, add turmeric, chilli and coriander powders. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes until the oil separates.
- Add the palak puree and stir well.
- Add water and stir well. Simmer the gravy for 5 minutes or till it is cooked and gravy thickens.
- Check for salt, add garam masala, stir and add fried paneer cubes. Stir gently and switch off the flame.
- Add lemon juice, fresh cream and mix.
- Top it with butter or fresh cream while serving (optional)
- ENJOY!
