21 Jan 2011

Paneer spinach




This is a quick and healthy recipe from my cousin Bharti.  She comes from a family of incredible cooks and you will see a few of her recipes coming through in the coming months.

I have lots of happy memories from my childhood of time spent with Bharti including:
  • my first roadtrip (aged 7) to Blackpool with her, her sister Daksha and husband Nitin
  • cutting my knee open on her exercise bike (aged 7 - it was an exciting summer and I have a great scar as a souvenir)
  • my first ride on a rollercoaster at Alton Towers (aged 8)
  • playing my first computer game with her husband Nitin (it was on a Commodore 64 - I'm showing my age now...).
Who knows if it wasn't for Bharti I might have unblemished knees!





Serves 2 - 3 as a main course


Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon light tasting vegetable oil
  • 125 grams paneer - cut into approximately 1 cm x 1.5 cm pieces
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 small onion - finely chopped
  • 225 grams canned chopped tomatoes
  • 1 clove garlic - crushed
  • 1 green chilli - finely chopped
  • 5 grams ginger - peeled and grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 100 grams baby spinach - washed
  • 150 milllitres water
Method
  1. Heat the oil in a wok.
  2. Shallow fry the paneer until it is golden brown on all sides.
  3. Remove the paneer from the wok and place it on a plate.
  4. Now add the cumin seeds to the wok and let them cook for a minute or two.
  5. Add the onion, stir well and cook until it is soft and starting to colour slightly.
  6. Now add the tomatoes, garlic, green chilli, ginger, red chilli powder, turmeric and salt.  Stir well and let the mixture cook for 5 minutes.
  7. Return the paneer to the pan and mix again.  Let the paneer cook in the sauce for 3 - 4 minutes.
  8. Add the spinich and water and mix very well.
  9. Let the curry cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the spinach is tender.
  10. Serve hot with rice or bread.

10 comments:

  1. This looks so beautiful AND tasty!

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  2. Hey Robin - glad you like the look of it - if only Foodgawker liked the look of it too...!! Reena

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  3. Oh foodgawker can be insulting. Every photo I've submitted has been rejected so I gave up. (I'm not that bad a photographer).
    This does look fantastic and I'm making it this week for sure. Thanks.

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  4. Hi Pink Rose Cottage. Hmmm maybe I should give up too... Tastespotting didn't like this one either! Let me know if you like the dish. Reena

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  5. Loved it Reena! I'm making it again tonight. And I'm linking it to my Facebook page.

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  6. Looks lovely...nice story too! I love recipes shared by family...laden with taste and memories!

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  7. Thanks Pink Rose Cottage! Glad you liked it.

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  8. Hi spiceandmore - I agree I love shared recipes - they are always tastier! Take care. Reena

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  9. Hi Reena,

    Made this recipe just now and wife's verdict was..."It's great!". Have tried your other recipes before and they have always turned out top notch...once again many thanks and keep up the excellent work...

    Cheers,
    Chetan

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  10. Hi Chetan. Lovely to hear from you - and glad the recipes are working for you! All the best to you and your wife. Reena

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