Palak Paneer - Tofu with Spinach

When I was a kid, my Ma would have trouble getting me to eat Spinach. This green leafy vegetable was not something I relished. I got hooked on to Spinach when I moved to New Delhi to work. The dhaba near my apartment would serve Spinach regularly, be it Palak Paneer, or Palak Parathas or some other dish. No matter what dish it was, the taste was awesome.
For having an ardent dislike for Spinach, now I love this green, leafy vegetable. it features regularly in my house, in many forms :)

Recipe Source : Adapted from Sanjeev Kapoor's cookbook

1 packet frozen chopped spinach
1 packet extra firm tofu
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
5-6 green chillies
10-12 cloves garlic
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup water
Salt to taste
Oil
Heavy cream to garnish (optional)

Grind the spinach, garlic cloves and green chillies to a fine paste using 1/4 cup water. Drain the water from the tofu and cut into 2" cubes.
Heat oil in a pan. Add the cumin seeds and when they sizzle, add the spinach paste. Cook on medium heat till the spinach begins to bubble. Add the milk and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add the tofu and salt and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with cream and serve hot.

Paneer / Tofu Bhujiya

My brother calls this dish the Vegetarian version of scrambled eggs. It is easy to make and tastes wonderful.


1 packet Paneer / Tofu
2 green chillies, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
Salt to taste
Oil
Chopped coriander leaves, for garnish (optional)


Heat oil in a pan and add the chopped onions. Cook till it turns light brown. Add the green chillies, chopped tomatoes, salt, cumin powder and coriander powder. Cook till the oil separates. Crumble the paneer / tofu and add to the pan. Mix well and cook for 5-7 minutes. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with Roti / Paratha. Enjoy !!

Kadhai Paneer

Kadhai Paneer was one of my favorite dishes during winter back in India. The rest of the year we would have Paneer in Parathas, as Paneer Bhurjee, Paneer Aloo .... The taste of ground spices coupled with the mellow flavor of green bell peppers, fresh Methi leaves and paneer was as close to gastronomical heaven as I could get.

I found a pack of red bell peppers at Trader Joe's and I had a green bell pepper at home with a pack of paneer. K loves this dish, so I decided to make this and surprise him at lunch :)

1 packet paneer (you can substitute Tofu), cut into finger sized strips
2 bell peppers, cut the same size as the Paneer
2 tsp whole coriander seeds
2 green chillies, finely chopped
1 tsp kasoori methi
4 dry red chilli
4 garlic cloves
4 small tomoatoes or 2 large tomatoes, chopped
1" ginger, chopped fine
Salt to taste
Oil
Chopped coriander, to garnish

Grind the garlic, dry red chilli and coriander seeds coarsely.

Heat oil in a pan. Add the garlic-chilli paste. Cook for a minute and then add the bell pepper, ginger and green chilli. Cook for a minute and then add the chopped tomatoes. Cook till the tomatoes are done and the oil separates.



Add Kasoori methi and salt and cook for 1 minute. Add the paneer slices, lower heat and cook for abt 5 to 7 minutes. Garnish with chopped corander leaves and serve hot with Paratha. Enjoy !! :)