Palak Paneer

Here's the complete process to cook Palak Paneer, a popular Indian dish made with spinach and cottage cheese (paneer). I'll include the ingredients, time required, cooking process, and approximate calorie information for your reference.

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches of fresh spinach leaves (about 500g)
• 200g paneer (cottage cheese), cubed
• 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust according to your spice preference)
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
• 1/4 cup fresh cream
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Time: Approximately 45 minutes. Serves: 4

Calorie Information (Approximate):

• Palak Paneer (1 serving): 250-300 calories
• Basmati Rice (1 cup cooked): 200-250 calories
• Naan (1 piece): 150-200 calories

Now, let's move on to the cooking process:

1. Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the spinach leaves, and blanch them for 2-3 minutes. Drain the water and immediately transfer the spinach to a bowl of cold water to retain its green color. Drain again and blend the spinach into a smooth puree. Set aside.
2. Heat oil or ghee in a pan or kadai over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
4. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chilies. Sauté for a minute or until the raw aroma disappears.
5. Add the finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
6. Now, add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala. Mix well and cook for a minute to let the spices release their flavors.
7. Add the spinach puree and salt to taste. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. Adjust the consistency by adding water if necessary.
8. Add the cubed paneer to the spinach gravy and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the paneer to absorb the flavors.
9. Finally, add fresh cream and stir gently. Cook for a minute or two, then turn off the heat.
10. Palak Paneer is now ready to be served. Garnish with a dollop of fresh cream if desired.

Serve hot with steamed rice, naan, or roti.

Please note that the calorie information provided is an approximate estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients and cooking methods used.