Hello,
Here after long again.... when I do not blog/post my writings, album in my phone piles up to exceed limits.... And that is when I ought to blog post to clear them....
The clicks of Palak Paneer have been awaiting to see the sunshine since 28th December 2023... So let's get going with it...
Several ways it's cooked... but for me personally I do not accept if the prep does not retain its green color.... I dislike if the prep is decolored....
Here is my way of preparing it.... I follow the basics being inspired by CHEF KUNAL KAPOOR with a lil tweaks of my own to suit my taste.... It's a very very simple preparation but believe me it tastes heavenly... So here it is....
Ingredients
Palak - a big bunch
Paneer - 200/300 gms fine cubed
Oil - 1 tbsp
Butter - 2 tbsp
Cumin Seeds - 1 1/2 tsp
Garlic - finely chopped 1 1/2 tbsp
Green chilli - 2
Ginger - finely chopped 1 tbsp
Onion - 2 tbsp finely chopped
Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Cumin Powder - 3/4 tsp
Cream - 1 1/2 tbsp
Cream + Butter + Chopped Coriander Leaves FOR GARNISHING
Method
1. Wash the leaves well & keep aside
2. In a utensil heat some water to blanch these leaves
3. Once blanched remove those leaves from the hot water & soak them ice cold water.... This step helps you retain the greenery in your preparation
4. After a minute remove it from the water squeezing out leftover water that is absorbed by the leaves
5. In a mixer grinder you would now grind the leaves into a smooth paste along with the green chillies with no additional water...
6. In a wok heat the oil & add in the cumin seeds... allow them to splutter & then add in the butter...
7. Now add in the chopped garlic & fry until it changes color slightly.... Now add in the chopped ginger & stir fry for sometime & then add the chopped onions... Fry until it turns translucent...
8. Now add in the palak pure`& allow it to cook for sometime.... 3-4 minutes approximately
9. Now add in the red chilli powder + salt + cumin powder & stir fry... You would see the palak has turned slightly darker in its color but that's fine cuz it would settle with cream
10. Since the palak is already par cooked you need not cook it further cuz that is where you retain its taste...
11. Now add in the raw paneer cubes into the preparation & give it a light stir so as to not break the cubes.... The softness of paneer adds to the flavors already in the prep.... The butter fried garlic + palak + the milky flavor of paneer 😋
12. Add in the cream & give it a light stir again & turn off the flame cuz cooking further would kill the flavors of the dish....
13. Serve it garnished with lil cream (optional) + butter cube + coriander leaves
14. Savor it with rice/roti/plain parata
REMEMBER : It tastes heavenly when prepared this simple.... Cuz Love & Passion needs no ornamentation... It is to be savored in its simplest form to enjoy its divinity.... And the same goes with this prep too.... 😇
UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!
