Palak Paneer ~ Indian Cottage Cheese Cubes In Spinach Gravy

Do you love spinach? 

I don't!

There are only a few preparations of paneer I like and Palak Paneer is one of them, more so as it has paneer in it. Well, most paneer lovers can relate to me here. My DH is big on paneer and can eat it in any form. I make this curry often to incorporate spinach in our food. Spinach is loaded with nutrition, you might know it well if you are a Popeye fan, gulping down a spinach drink does wonders to it strength. 

This recipe has been sitting in my drafts for a long time and I realized it when I made this curry yesterday. With out much ado, here it is:

Ingredients:

200gm spinach leaves
200 gm paneer, cut in cubes and soaked in warm water.(I mostly use store bought paneer. Soaking them in warm water soften them)
1 tomato
1 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 clove of garlic pounded
1 tsp grated ginger.
 a small piece of cinnamon
2 cloves
1 bay leaf
1 green chili slit or chopped.
1 tsp salt or to taste
1 tbsp sugar, optional (I like to add it to ward off the bitter taste of spinach!)
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp heaped coriander powder
1/2 tsp red chili powder
2-3 tbsp cream.

Process:
1. In a large bowl add the washed spinach leaves and the tomato. Make a cross slit on the tomato. Pour bubbling hot water over it and cover it for 3-5 minutes.
2. Peel the skin off tomato and drain the water, keeping aside 1 cup of water.
3. Churn the spinach and tomato into a smooth puree.
4. Heat a pan and add oil. add the cumin seeds. Once they sputter, add the garlic, ginger, green chili, cinnamon , bay leaf and cloves. After a minute add the prepared spinach and tomato gravy. Add the salt and cook it on a medium flame for 2-3 minutes.Add the reserved water to give the gravy your desired consistency. Add all the dry spices except garam masala and sugar and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Add the paneer cubes and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add garam masala and stir gently. Finally add the cream and stir gently. Turn off the heat.
6. Serve hot with roti, naan or parathas.

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!