Palak is the hindi word for spinach and paneer is a home-made cheese This is an easy recipe to make kids and adults eat greens. Since its pureed kids won’t know that they are having spinach. Here I’ve changed the  colour of the spinach to pale green. You can do that by covering the pan with a lid while cooking. On the other hand if you want to retain the bright green colour of the spinach cook it uncovered at all stages of cooking.

Preparation time : 15 mts

Cooking time : 5 + 15

Serves: 4

Ingredients :

• Spinach – 300g
• Paneer/cottage cheese – 200g
• Tomato – 2 (pureed)
• Tomato paste – 1/2 tsp
• Onion – 1(small)
• Garlic – 1
• Green chilli – 2
• Water – 1 cup
• Oil – 2 tsp
• Fresh cream/ milk – 1/2 cup

 Spice mix:

• Chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
• Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala – 1/2 tsp

Method:

1. Blanch the spinach leaves in hot water. When the leaves are soften take it out and immerse it in ice cold water. This is to stop cooking the spinach further and to retain it’s colour. If you’re not concerned about the colour you can straight away puree it.
2. In a blender add chopped onions,garlic, chilli and puree it smoothly.
3. Heat oil in a pan, when the oil is heated up add onion puree mix and saute for a few minutes. Be careful not to burn the mix, if needed add a pinch of salt to speed up the process.
4. When the onions are soft, lower the fire add in the spice mix and roast for a few seconds.
5. Pour in the tomato puree and allow it to simmer in low heat till the oil starts to separate.
6. Add the pureed spinach,water and allow it to boil. When it starts to boil add in the paneer and cook till the paneer is cooked and the gravy is thick according to your preference. It’ll take around 5 -7 mts.
7. Switch off the fire and add in the fresh cream.

Notes:

• Use only neutral oils like vegetable oil, canola or sunflower oil.
• You can replace fresh cream with full cream milk or half and half.
• Palak paneer can be served with cooked rice, flat bread/chappatti or as pasta sauce.