Its all about Paneer

Paneer (Cottage Cheese) is one of the most versatile ingredients apart from potato…you can pretty much make any kind of gravy and add paneer or boiled potatotes to it. Having paneer stocked up in your refrigerator is a blessing, if you are late in starting preparing for dinner or for one of those days when you rack your brains and raid your pantry and refrigerator, in order to decide what to make. I have always used store bought paneer..i look forward to that one day when i make paneer at home.. it is super simple…but i think im just too lazy for that..

Here are two simple and tasty paneer recipes and one of them is super healthy too… i remember how mom used to make different varieties of keerai ( greens) to be spinach, so that my bro will eat them…he was then inspired by Popeye!!! LOL!!

Palak Paneer ( Paneer in a spicy spinach gravy)

Saute one bunch fresh Spinach (chopped) and two green chillies in oil for sometime. Let it cool. Blend it in a food processor till you get a smooth paste of spinach.

Heat some more oil in a skillet. Add one onion, finely chopped and 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste. Also, add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and 1 tsp red chilli powder. Add two chopped tomatoesa nd let it saute till the mixture seperates from the oil. Add 1/2 tsp cumin powder and 1/2 tsp coriander powder. Add salt according to requirement. Now add the ground spinach and let it cook for sometime. Meanwhile cut a slab of panner ( about 125 gms) into small pieces and add it to the above mixture. Let it cook in low heat for about two minutes. Can be served with hot rotis or rice.

Paneer Butter Masala

125 gms paneer, 1 onion ( finely chopped), 2 green chillies (finely chopped), 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp garam masala powder, 1/2 tsp coriander powder, 3 tbsp thick tomato paste, 1/2 cup curd / yoghurt, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp cashewnut paste, salt, chopped coriander / cilantro to garnish.

Cut paneer into slightly bigger pieces and keep aside. Heat oil in a skillet and add the onions, green chillies and the ginger garlic paste. Saute till the onions turn golden brown. Add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder and the coriander powder. Add salt as well. Let the masala fry well. Add the tomato paste and enough water to make it a thick gravy. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Add the curd. Mix it well and then add the heavy cream and the cashewnut paste. After a couple of minutes, add the paneer cubes and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

One of my other fav paneer dish (Kadhai paneer), here..