Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is a traditional North Indian dish where Paneer is mixed with rich spinach-tomato-onion gravy. Thanks to Costco to offer fresh refrigerated spinach that has made my job even easier :). There are quite a few variations about how to cook this particular dish. This time I used Punjabi Curry Masala (Which was already prepared) and it came out almost restaurant like tasty. Usually Punjabi curries ask for strong spices and sometimes they tend to overpower the taste of actual vegetable, but not in Palak Paneer. What I love the most about this dish is, you can still taste freshness of spinach.

Serves 4-6

Preparation Time: 15 Minute + Time to make Paneer

Cooking Time:  30 Minute

Ingredients
1 LB spinach (This yields about 3 cup spinach puree)

1.5 cup paneer cubes

2 cup onion paste

1 cup tomato sauce

1 tsp chili paste

½ tsp minced garlic

½ tsp ginger paste

2 tsp Punjabi Curry Masala

¼ tsp turmeric powder

¼ tsp sugar

½ tsp red chili powder

2 tsp butter

Salt

Procedure

1.  In a large pot bring water to boil and add spinach. Cook it covered for about 5-7 minutes and stir in between.
2. Take out spinach in colander. Once it cools down, grind into a smooth paste.
3. Heat oil in skillet, add Punjabi curry masala. Sauté it on low flame till it starts leaving oil on the edge.
4. Add onion paste, chili-ginger paste and garlic. When onion turns light brown, add tomato sauce.
5. Add salt, chili powder and sugar and bring it to boil.
6. Add spinach puree and mix well. Cook it covered for about 5-10 minutes and then add paneer.
7. Once paneer is well mixed, add butter and immediately turn off the heat.