Palak Paneer

Ingredients

Fresh spinach

2 cups, washed and cleaned

Paneer (Indian cottage cheese)

200 grams, cubed

Fresh cream

1/4 cup

Oil

2 tablespoons

Cumin seeds

1 teaspoon

Onion

1 medium, finely chopped

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Ginger

1 inch piece, grated

Green chili

1, finely chopped

Tomato

1 medium, finely chopped

Turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon

Coriander powder

1 teaspoon

Garam masala

1/2 teaspoon

Salt

to taste

Instructions

1. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 2 minutes. Immediately drain and plunge the spinach into a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process and retain the vibrant green color. Once cooled, drain and blend into a smooth puree.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add cumin seeds and let them splutter to release their flavors.
3. Add the finely chopped onions to the pan, sauté until they turn a golden brown color.
4. Next, add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chili to the pan. Sauté for a minute until the aromatics release their aroma.
5. Add the finely chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they turn soft and mushy.
6. Season with turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
7. Pour in the spinach puree and let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
8. Add the cubed paneer and garam masala to the pan. Mix gently, ensuring the paneer is well-coated with the spinach mixture, and let it cook for another 5 minutes.
9. Finally, stir in the fresh cream, blending it well into the spinach and paneer mixture. Allow the dish to cook for an additional 2 minutes.
10. Serve your Palak Paneer hot, accompanied by warm naan bread or fragrant basmati rice. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this timeless Indian classic.