Palak Paneer (Spinach-Cottage Cheese) in Coconut Milk

          Palak Paneer in general is a very popular dish on an Indian platter. It is a wholesome and a nutritious preparation of cottage cheese and spinach. But today I gave a twist and added some coconut milk. It turned out really delicious. It can be relished with either plain steamed rice, pulao, plain biryani, naan, tandoori roti or chapatti. So go ahead and prepare this very delectable dish in a new avatar by following an easy step by step pictorial recipe.

• 1 cup paneer cubes
• 2 bunches palak (spinach), chopped
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 4-5 cloves
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 1/2 mace
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 1 tsp. garlic, grated
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1 tsp. tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 sprig curry leaves

          Pan fry the chopped spinach till dry. Keep aside. Heat oil in the same pan and temper with cumin seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and mace. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Add the onion, ginger, garlic and green chilies. Fry till light brown. Now add all the dry spices (except garam masala). Mix everything well.

          Add the tomato paste, spinach, coconut milk, curry leaves, paneer cubes, garam masala powder and 1/2 cup water. Give it a stir and cover.

          Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Switch off the flame and transfer to a serving dish. Serve as a side dish with either plain steamed rice, pulao, plain biryani, naan, tandoori roti or chapatti.

                               Pan fry chopped spinach till dry. Keep aside. 

                  Heat oil in same pan & temper with cumin seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon,                                              cardamoms, cloves & mace. Sauté for a few seconds.

                                  Add onion, ginger, garlic & green chilies. Fry till light brown. 

                                  Add all dry spices (except garam masala). Mix well.

                                  Add tomato paste followed by......

                                  spinach, 

                                 coconut milk, 1/2 cup water, garam masala powder, 

                                 paneer cubes & curry leaves. Give it a stir & cover.

                                 Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

                         Serve with rice, pulao, plain biryani, naan, tandoori roti or chapatti.