Palak Paneer (spinach with Indian cheese)







Ingredients
Spinach-1 bunch /3 cups packed / 
Paneer-11/2 cups
Oil -3 tbsp
Garlic-3 cloves crushed
Onion-1
Tomato-1
Chilli Powder - 1tsp
Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
Coriander powder-1tsp
Cumin powder-1/2tsp
Cashews-3tbsp


For tempering
Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds- 1/4 tsp


Method

  1. Soak cashews in warm water for 15-20 minutes or until soft and grind into a smooth paste.
  2. In a non stick pan,fry the paneer in little oil until golden brown and drain in a paper towel.
  3. In the same pan, saute the onion, garlic and tomato.
  4. When the onion is soft, add the spinach and powders.
  5. Add 1/2 cup of water (avoid using  water if frozen spinach is used).Close the lid and cook till spinach is soft. 
  6. Transfer the spinach mixture into a blender and grind  it into a thick gravy. 
  7. In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil and splutter mustard and cumin.
  8. Pour the spinach gravy and cashew paste and bring it to a boil.
  9. Add fried paneer and cook for 2 minutes.( If boiled for longer time, the paneer can become chewy).
  10. Serve with rotis or cumin rice.

Variation- 1/2 cup of cream or half and half can be used instead of cashew paste.