PUNJABI Palak Dishes

**Author - Alee Venkatesh **








Palak (Spinach) - green leafy vegetable which is considered to be a rich source of iron, rich in antioxidants especially when it is cooked using steam or boiling method.  Palak paneer is a very popular vegetarian dish in India which is prepared out of spinach leaves and cottage cheese.  It can be served with plain boiled rice, jeera rice or any Indian bread of your choice. 



Paneer - a fresh cheese common in South Asia especially in Indian, Pakistani, Afghan & Bangladeshi Cuisines.  It is an unaged, non-melting, acid-set cheese made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice, vinegar or any other food acids.









Ingredients

  • 2 bunches of washed and chopped spinach leaves (spinach is required for all 3 types of curries as pictured above)
  • (for Aloo Palak)- 3 potatoes cut into bite size cubes, boiled & peeled) 
  • (for Palak Panner) - 1/2 cup fresh paneer cubes (toasted)
  • (for Palak Lentil Panner) - 1/2 cup washed, cooked Lentils until tender
  • Salt to taste 
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds (for seasoning)
  • 1-2 tsps. oil and ghee
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. garam masala & red chilli powder (optional)
For grinding:
  • 1 each of onion and tomato (sliced & fried)
  • ½ spoon of ginger paste
  • ½ spoon of garlic paste (optional)
  • 2-3 green chillies (or as per your spice taste)
  • handful of coriander leaves
  • Lemon juice to taste
Method

  • Lightly toast panner cubes in ghee to golden brown. 
  •  (for Palak paneer - cook spinach until tender)
  • (for Aloo palak - cook potatoes & spinach until tender)
  • (for Palak Lentil Paneer - cook spinach & lentils until tender)
  • Heat oil in a pan and season cumin seeds and keep it aside. 
  • Fry onions, tomato and ginger-garlic paste for few minutes and allow it to cool.  Blend this with cooked spinach, green chillies, coriander, lemon juice into a smooth paste.  
  • Add these blended ingredients with your seasoned cumin seeds and mix well with some salt to taste.(if using garam masala & red chilli powder - add them as well)
  • Simmer for few minutes and serve hot with boiled rice or Indian bread.