Palak Paneer(पालक पनीर)

Palak Paneer is one of the popular Punjabi dish. It is very popular in my home. So courtesy to my mother, I am sharing her recipe on the blog.

Ingredients:
(1). 2 packet frozen chopped spinach or 2 fresh bunch of spinach chopped
(2). 4 finely chopped green chillies
(3). 3.5 tablespoon oil
(4).1 small chopped tomato(half medium size)
(5).1 big chopped onion
(6).1 cup cubed cut paneer(10-12pieces)
(7).salt to taste
(8).half teaspoon turmeric(optional)
(9). half teaspoon garam Marsala
(10). 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
(11).1 small cup heavy cream or full fat milk
(12). 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
(13). 1 teaspoon asafoetida
(14). 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic

Recipe:
If you are using frozen spinach then cook spinach in pressure cooker and let cooker whistle for 4-5 times.Because frozen spinach some hard stems which takes long time to cook.If you are using fresh spinach just boil the chopped spinach in open big vessel, this way the curry color will be green. Using colander remove water from boiled spinach and make fine paste using mixture.

In the nonstick pan take 1 table spoon oil and add paneer cubes and fry each side for 4-5 minutes until each side turn golden brown. Remove fried paneer in plate covered with paper napkin to remove extra oil.

Now in the same nonstick pan take 2 table spoon of oil and add cumin seeds. When seeds starts cracking, add asafoetida , onion and pinch of salt. Saute onion till it turns golden brown then add chopped garlic, green chillies,tomatoes, turmeric, garam masala and black pepper powder in it.Let it cook for 4-5 minutes on medium flame.Take this gravy and make fine puree using blender.

In finale, in pan take half table spoon oil, slowly add gravy and add paneer puree in it and mix everything well and let it cook for 5-7 minutes to remove extra water. Switch of the stove, let the curry cool for 5 minutes , now add cream in it and stir it well to mix properly. Lastly immerse fried paneer cubes in curry. Serve with partha , vegetable pilaf or jeera rice.

Pureed Spinach

Fried Paneer

Palak Paneer

Vegetable Pilaf(पुलाव)

This is very easy recipe for making vegetable pilaf for any occasion. I learned this from my Mother-in-law.

Ingredients:-

(1).2 cup soaked basmati rice

(2).2 cup cut vegetables (carrots, peace, green beans,cauliflower,potato)

(3).3 teaspoon pilaf masala

(4).1 teaspoon cumin seed

(5).Salt to taste

(6).1.5 tablespoon oil

(7). half cup cashews(optional)

(8). half cup raisins(optional)

(9).big deep pot(like pressure cooker)

(10).5 cup water.

Recipe:

Soak basmati rice for 30 minutes.In cooker/pot add 1.5 tablespoon oil and start the stove. Add 1 teaspoon cumin seed and pilaf masala , let it cook for 2 minutes, now add cashew, raisins, mixed cut vegetables and saute for 4-5 minutes. Add rice and mix it well with other spices and vegetables. Now add 4 cup of water. Make sure you use same measuring cup for rice and water. Add salt to taste and mix everything one more time. Keep stove on medium flame. Wait for 12-15 minutes for water start evaporating , stir in between. If you think that rice is hard and there is no water in rice add  half cup more water and stir it. Don't add more water at once otherwise rice will become sticky.Once rice is cooked  turn off  the stove. There should be no water remained in the rice. Now remove the rice from the cooker and put it in big serving plate.

Serve Pilaf with Raita and  fried papad.

Tips:- If you think that rice is cooked but water is remained then remove excess water in sink by cover lid on pot that way you will not loose rice. You can make pilaf masala at home, you need 3-cinnamon stick, 7-8 cardmom seeds, 4-5 whole blackpeppers, 2-3 clove. Grind all of these in mixie or using pestal/mortar.

Vegetable Pulav