Palak Panner ( பாலக் பன்னீர் )

Palak Panner 

பாலக் பன்னீர்

                                  


Ingredients:
Palak Leaves ( பசலைகீரை)- 1 bunch
Panner ( பாலாடை கட்டி) - 100 to 125 g
Onion ( வெங்காயம்) - 1 big size
Tomato ( தக்காளி) - 1 big size
Green Chili ( பச்சை மிளகாய்) - 2 Nos.
Garlic ( பூண்டு) - 4 cloves
Ginger ( இஞ்சி) - 1 inch
Bay leaf ( பிரிஞ்சி இலை ) - 1 No.
Cloves ( கிராம்பு ) - 2 Nos.
Shajeera ( சிறுஞ்சீரகம்) - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder ( மஞ்சள் தூள்) - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala ( கரம் மசாலா) - 1/2 tsp
Butter ( வெண்ணெய்) - 1 tbsp
Fresh Cream ( பாலேடு ) - 2 tbsp

Steps:

Clean and wash the palak leaves.

Peel the garlic 

Fine chop ginger, onion and tomato.

Add hot water to the panner cubes and remove the cubes after a few seconds.

Alternatively, you can deep fry the paneer and keep aside.

Boil a few spoons of water in a skillet.

Add the palak leaves, green chili and the garlic

Blanch it just for a minute and remove from heat. Let it cool, blend to form a paste..

Heat a teaspoon of butter. Add Shajeera, cloves and bay leaf  first

Add the finely chopped ginger.

Next, toss in the chopped onions and saute until transparent.

Add finely chopped tomato and turmeric powder. Mix well.

When onion and tomato are well cooked, add the palak paste. 

When palak begins to boil, add the panner cubes and finally add the garam masala. Stir well and let it boil for a minute or two. Remove from fire.

Transfer to a serving bowl. To brighten up, do a finishing touch with fresh cream.
 Serve with chapati or pulav.

My Notes:
Palak paneer is a North Indian dish and least found in the South Indian home cooking by the previous generation. But have found its place in the last decade as it's a favourite dish of all kids and my sons are no exception.
This dish is easy , simple to cook yet has all the nutrients for a growing child as well as an adult.
I had the practice to prepare fresh panner at home in India. The leftover whey can also substituted for water.
But with the type of fresh milk available in Singapore, not able to get a proper substantial amount of panner even with a large quantity of milk. So had switched over to ready-made panner cubes available in the market.
The amount of panner used in the dish can be varied based on the preference.