Spinach & Cheese - Saag Paneer

Spinach and Cheese – Saag Paneer

From Creative Cooking - Indian

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1 cup vegetable oil
7 oz/200g paneer (Indian cheese – see end of post for recipe)
3 tomatoes, halved and sliced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 ½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
14 oz/400 g spinach
3 fresh green chilies (I only used 1 – I like it mild)

Directions

1. In a large sauté pan or skillet, heat oil over medium high heat and add paneer. Sauté, stirring occasionally until they are golden. (about 5 minutes) Remove from pan and place on paper towels to absorb the oil.

2. Add the tomatoes to the skillet with the rest of the oil and stir fry until they are soft (about 5 minutes). Add the cumin, chili powder, and salt and mix well.

3. Add the spinach to the pan and stir fry over low heat for 7-10 minutes. This is one dish where you WANT the spinach to be almost black and mushy. Add the fresh green chilies and the paner and cook for another 2 minutes.

To make your own paneer: (about 2½ - 3 hours)
Ingredients:
4 ½ cups milk
2 tbsp lemon juice

Directions:
1. Boil the milk slowly over low heat.

2. Add the lemon juice, stirring occasionally until the milk thickens and begins to curdle.

3. Strain the milk through a fine sieve. Set aside under a heavy weight for 2 hours to press to a flat shape about ½” thick.

4. Once set, the paneer can be cut to whatever shape you prefer.

Related links: Food and Drink Recipes vegetables Indian Food