Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner
Style: Vegetarian Main Entree
Yield: 20 servings
Accompaniments: Basmati Rice or Naan
Palak Paneer is a popular Indian dish consisting of spinach (palak) and paneer cheese in a curry sauce. Paneer can be bought at any Indian grocery store or through the following Indian Food Vendor: Dee Dee’s Indian Grocer (650-861-0380. Omitting the cream and substituting firm tofu for paneer will make the dish vegan.
Ingredients
Frozen Spinach 5 lbs
Paneer 1/2” cubes 2 lbs
Tomato Paste 1 cup
Onion, small dice 2 ea
Bay Leaves 2 ea
Cumin Seed 2 tsp
Cumin Powder 2 oz
Chili Powder 1 oz
Garam Masala 4 oz
Ginger Paste 1 oz
Garlic Paste 1 oz
Cilantro 1 bunch
Cream 3 cups
Method
Heat the oil, add the cumin seed and onion (in that order). Sautee for 5 minutes then add the ginger, garlic paste, tomato paste and mix all dry spices. Cook for a few minutes, add the spinach. Mix everything and place in a blender or Robo-Coupe to puree. Return to the pot and add the paneer. Check the seasoning and simmer for a few minutes until heated through. Finish it with cream and cilantro.
For a better result, we can deep fry the paneer in to a light brown color and keep in the water. When we need it, drain the water and add the paneer to the mixture.