Paneer palak or alu palak is another of my grandmother's favorite recipes. She would add a pinch of her home made garam masala and it would add a unique flavor to the alu palak. My 6 year old cousin would think that the alu's in the alu palak were chicken pieces. my grand mom would also call it vegetarian chicken curry. Paneer can also be made at home. We would mostly buy paneer from the dairy. But sometimes if the milk got curdled, then my mom would make paneer at home and make palak paneer.
Ingredients
4 cups palak or spinach leaves
1 cup cubed paneer or cubed boiled potatoes
1 medium onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste or 2 tomatoes
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
salt as per taste
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder or as per taste
1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
oil
Method
Wash the palak thoroughly and boil the palak leaves. Grind them coarsely in a blender. If you are using paneer, then oil a tava and fry the paneer till it is golden brown on all sides. I usually don't fry the paneer. Chop the onions finely. Put 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet and heat it. Add cumin seeds and saute for around 5 seconds. Add onions and fry till brown. Add chopped tomatoes or tomato puree. Cook till the tomatoes are soft. Add the palak puree and cook it for 5 minutes. Add the paneer or potato along with turmeric powder, chili powder and garam masala. Add salt as per taste. Serve hot with roti or rice.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2-3
