Palak Paneer (Spinach & Cottage Cheese)

Ingredients

• 300 g Spinach (palak), fresh
• 200 g Paneer
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium Tomato, finely chopped
• 1.5 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp Garam masala
• 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
• 0.5 tsp Red chili powder
• 0.5 tsp Cumin seeds
• 0.75 tsp Salt
• 1.5 tbsp Ghee or oil
• 2 tbsp Heavy cream (optional)(optional)
• 0.25 cup Water

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (15 minutes): Blanch spinach in boiling water for 1 minute, drain, and blend into a smooth puree. Cube the paneer and chop onion and tomato.

2. 2

   Cook (25 minutes): Heat ghee/oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds; once they sizzle, sauté onion until soft (about 5 minutes). Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.

3. 3

   Add tomato, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until tomatoes break down (about 6 minutes). Stir in spinach puree and 1/4 cup water; simmer for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens.

4. 4

   Add paneer cubes and garam masala. Simmer gently for 5 minutes (do not boil hard). If using, stir in cream at the end. Serve hot.