Palak Paneer Spinach And Tofu Food

PALAK PANEER (INDIAN FRESH SPINACH WITH PANEER CHEESE)

Steps:

• Cut spinach into shreds and cook in 3 tablespoons water until tender; remove from heat.
• Saute onion, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger in 1-2 tablespoons ghee or oil until onion is translucent.
• Then add garlic and chopped tomatoes, and reduce heat.
• Cook this briefly and slowly blend in yogurt a little at a time to prevent curdling.
• Add coriander, garam masala, paprika, and salt, mixing well.
• Add cooked spinach with liquid, cover and simmer on low heat for approximately 20-30 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Take half of spinach mixture and puree in food processor or blender, and return to mixture and stir.
• Slowly stir in heavy cream, and heat through on low heat.
• Add paneer cubes.
• Serve.

COTTAGE CHEESE IN SPINACH GRAVY(PALAK PANEER)

Steps:

• Remove the stems from the spinach,blanch them in hot water and grind them into a fine paste.
• Add butter in a heavy bottomed vessel and add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add finely onions and green chili saute them till light brown. Don't burn them.Mean while shallow fry cottage cheese cubes in 1 tbsp of oil slightly brown.
• Add ginger garlic paste and fry further for 3 minutes. Add red chili powder and coriander powder and combine well.
• Blend the tomatoes,add the tomato paste and let it cook for 5-6 min on medium heat. Add the spinach paste and let it cook further for another 4-5 minute.
• Add the fried cottage cheese(paneer) cubes and combine. Cook covered on low heat for 3 minute Add the spinach water and salt and cook on medium heat for 10-12 minute.
• Add heavy cream, garam masala powder and chopped cilantro and mix well.
• Reduce flame, cover and cook for 2 mts.
• Serve hot with flat breads or white rice.

PALAK PANEER - VEGANIZED!

Steps:

• Prepare the tofu beforehand by pressing out some of the moisture. The easiest way to do this is to place the block of tofu in a colander, placing a plate on top and then weighing it down with a tin of soup or a heavy skillet. It takes about 1/2 an hour, but you could leave this for however long you need to in the fridge.
• Cut the pressed tofu into one inch cubes.
• Combine the next 7 ingredients, (grated ginger, lemon juice, oil, turmeric, garam masala, sea salt and chili powder if using). Toss in the tofu and leave to marinate for about 30 minutes, or longer if need be. Try to turn a couple of times so that the marinade gets evenly distributed.
• Final step with the tofu is to saute it in about 1 tbsp of the oil. Try to get each side lightly golden. You can use more oil if you want to -- I'm just trying to keep the calories as low as possible. Set aside once done.
• Next step - the spinach. In a dutch oven or large saute pan, heat up about an inch of water. While that's boiling, chop the spinach roughly and then add to the boiling water, steaming until tender (a matter of a few minutes). Once done, turn off the heat and then drain out about 1/4 cup of the liquid into a measuring cup. Once you've taken that 1/4 cup out, there shouldn't be a whole lot left. Set the 1/4 cup of spinach water aside and then puree what's left in the pot together with the steamed spinach. I like to just use an immersion blender right there in the pot -- or you could move to a blender or something similar. Set the spinach aside (I move mine to a bowl and clean out the same pot).
• Next step -- putting it together. Using a mini-blender or food processor, combine the onion, ginger, garlic, fresh chili if using, and the 1/4 cup of spinach water - puree into a smooth paste.
• Heat the remaining tbsp of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add in the paste (watch out, it will splatter) and fry it for about 30 seconds. Then add your other spices and diced tomatoes. Lower the heat and let that cook gently for about 5 minutes, watching it doesn't burn.
• Add in your pureed spinach and season to taste with salt.
• Next combine the arrowroot powder with the soy milk in a small dish. Once you've removed the lumps, gently stir it in and let the sauce thicken up for a few more minutes. Lastly, add in the tofu and let it warm through, about 10 more minutes.
• Done! Serve with rice or naan etc -- garnish with fresh cilantro if you like, or some more diced fresh tomato.

INDIAN CREAMED SPINACH - PALAK NOT PANEER

Steps:

• Boil about a quart of water and add salt liberally. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add the spinach and reduce heat to medium . Cook for 8 minutes, then drain and set aside. Chop when cooled.
• In a medium saucepan, add 1 tablespoon butter or ghee. Sautee shallots and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the spinach and cook for two minutes or until the juices release. Then add the spices and the rest of the butter and stir, allowing about 30 seconds to a minute for them to begin releasing their flavor into the mixture. Add the cream and raise the heat, continuing to stir. Reduce the liquid to half so the mixture has a creamy rather than soupy consistency.
• Allow to cool, pour into bowls and sprinkle with the cheese. Then enjoy. Or just throw it in the trash or see if your dog will eat it.