Palak Corn Paneer

You know the primary reason why I’m taking things a bit easy (read not posting on my blog as often as I normally do) after Pujo is not because I’m not cooking but because I’m tired of writing. I have written so much in the whole of last month that the very thought of typing down lengthy recipes accompanied by a story is giving me jitters. Also, let’s face it, I’ve been lazy. So in-keeping with the lazy spirit let me not waste more of your time and take you straight to the recipe.

It’s a humble spinach dish that you can make with almost any vegetables lying around, or better still chicken or meat! Corn and paneer are probably matches made in heaven with spinach, individually . I decided to combine the three to make one wholesome dish that is healthy, delicious and oozes comfort.

Recipe partly adapted from Veg Recipes of India
Serves: 7-8
Ingredients

Spinach leaves: 750 gm
Green chillies: 2
Paneer, cut into cubes: 250 gm
Sweet Corn kernels: 1.5 cups (boil if fresh, thaw if frozen)
Cumin seeds: 3/4 tsp
Turmeric powder: 1 tsp
Kashmiri red chili powder: 1 tsp
Asafoetida/heeng: 2 pinches
Garam masala powder: 1 tsp
Cream: 3-4 tbsp
Olive Oil/Ghee/Butter: 1 tbsp + 2 tsp ghee
Salt, to taste
Sugar: 2 tsp

For masala paste:

Onion, roughly chopped: 2
Ginger paste: 2 tsp
Garlic paste: 3 tsp
Green chilies: 2-3
Cashewnuts, soaked in water: 1/2 cup.

Method:

1. In a small blender, pulse all the ingredients for the masala paste. Add a little water if you require, I did not need any. Set aside.

2. Wash the spinach thoroughly with lukewarm water. In a large pan, add water and a little bit of salt and bring to boil. Add the spinach and blanching till soft. Immediately strain it and transfer to ice cold water and let it rest for 2 minutes. Make a puree of the spinach and green chillies. Set aside.

3. In a deep-bottomed pan, heat oil/ghee/butter. Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter for 30 odd seconds or till aromatic and golden brown. Now add the masala paste and a tsp of sugar and keep stirring for the next 5-6 minutes.

4. With a little water, add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafoetida and 1/2 tsp garam masala powder. Keep stirring the masala till it loses its raw smell and releases oil, say another 2-3 minutes

5. Now add the spinach puree along with some salt, bring to a boil, lower the heat and let it simmer covered for 2 minutes.

6. Add the corn and paneer and some water if required, mix well and continue to simmer covered for another 5 minutes.

7. Add the cream, mix well and cook for another minute.

8. Now sprinkle 2 tsp ghee and the remaining garam masala, give a final stir and take off the heat.

9. Serve hot with rotis/pulao/naan.

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