Palak Paneer using Tofu

This is yet another easy and an healthy recipe but taking out the Palak leaves and cleaning them alone takes little time.

Ingredients

I. Palak Puree or Palak Paste

• Palak - 1 or 2 bunches

Wash the palak well.Take out the leaves.Boil around 3 cups of water (or even more).Switch off the stove.Put the palak leaves in the hot water.Leave it for 4-5 minutes.Cool and grind it in a mixie.It will be a smooth paste.

II. Onion Paste

• Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
• Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 - 1 teaspoon
• Green Chillies - 2 or more

Grind these items with little water.It will be a thick paste

III. Paneer

• Paneer or Tofu - 100g

Cut the Paneer into small cubes.Shallow fry it or put it in a boiling water for 5 minutes.Then drain it and keep it aside

IV. Seasoning

• Butter - 2 Teaspoons (I used Nutralite which is free from cholesterol and trans fats)
• Cumin Seeds (Jeera) - 1/2 Teaspoon (This aids in better digestion)

V. Powders

• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
• Garam Masala Powder + Chilly Powder - 1 1/2 Teaspoons
• Coriander Powder (Dhaniya) - 1 Teaspoon
• Salt - 1 Teaspoon

VI. Others

• Tomato Sauce - 1 Tablespoon (optional)
• Boiled and cooled milk - 1/2 cup / Fresh Cream - little (topping)

Method

1. Heat butter in a pan and jeera seeds to it and allow it to splutter

2. Add the onion paste and turmeric powder.Heat till the raw smell diffuses

3. Add tomato sauce at this stage.Mix well.Now pour the palak puree and add the remaining powders (except turmeric) and stir well.

4. Leave it for 5 minutes.Now add the paneer cubes and mix well.After 3 minutes add milk and let it boil around a minute.After adding milk the gravy will be lighter in colour (from dark green to light green - note the difference in pics)

5. Palak Paneer is ready.It goes as a good side dish for Pooris,  Phulkas, Plain Parathas, Vegetable Jeera Pulav and it can also be mixed with Hot Rice