Spinach with Masala and Paneer

Spinach is a nutrient-rich vegetable, and today's recipe will transform this simple ingredient into a delicious and flavorful dish that can be served as a main course or as a side. We start by boiling the spinach in a pot of boiling water. We let it boil for 1-2 minutes until it becomes tender, then we carefully drain it. It is important to keep some of the liquid it boiled in, as it will add a subtle hint of flavor to the final dish.

After draining the spinach, we transfer it to a blender, adding a little water from the reserved liquid or, if you prefer, milk. We blend until we obtain a smooth, homogeneous paste, which will form the delicious base of our recipe. This spinach paste will be enriched with intense flavors by adding a mix of spices.

To prepare the masala, we put cloves, cinnamon, cardamom seeds, and chili (you can choose to leave the seeds or not, depending on your preferences) in a mortar and grind them until they become almost a powder. This combination will add a deep and aromatic flavor to the dish. We sauté the spice mix in hot oil for a few seconds until the aromas are released.

We then add the ginger-garlic paste, as well as a few crushed or finely chopped garlic cloves. We continue to sauté the ingredients for another 30 seconds to intensify the flavors. The next step is to add the onion puree, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Integrate all these ingredients and mix well, then add the tomato passata. Let everything simmer over medium heat for 3 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

After the time is up, incorporate the spinach paste, adding 100 ml of the reserved water. Simmer everything covered over low heat for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you notice that the mixture becomes too thick, add a little water. Towards the end, don't forget to salt to taste.

Once the dish is ready, remove the pot from the heat and add the cubed paneer, cut into small pieces. It is recommended to fry the cheese a little beforehand to give it a golden and crispy texture. Let everything sit for 5 minutes so that the flavors meld together.

Serve this delicious dish warm, alongside freshly cooked Indian bread such as roti or naan, or with boiled rice. This dish is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients, making it an excellent choice for a healthy and satisfying meal.

 Ingredients: -500 g spinach -300 g paneer (cottage cheese) or tofu for fasting days For the masala -2 cloves -1 piece of cinnamon (about 2 cm) -1/2 cardamom pod -1/2-1 dried chili pepper Other -2 teaspoons * ginger and garlic paste -2 cloves of garlic, crushed or finely chopped -2 tablespoons heaped ** onion puree -1 teaspoon ground cumin -1 teaspoon heaped ground coriander -1/2 teaspoon turmeric -100 ml *** tomato passata -3 tablespoons oil -salt, to taste

 Tags:  onion greenness garlic tomatoes pepper oil cheese gluten-free recipes vegetarian recipes fat-free recipes