Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is a popular North Indian dish that is on the vegetarian menu of just about every Indian restaurant. But for those  who are vegans, this rich and spicy spinach-based dish comes with a catch - the cubes of deep-fried Paneer, or Indian cheese, puts it on our list of can't-haves.

Enter the tofu. It is amazing what you can do with this wonder food if you take a little bit of time to prep it. Marinated in the right ingredients, it makes a wonderful substitute for the paneer- a better one, in my opinion- and it comes minus the saturated fats and calories. Unlike the paneer which always seems to take on a tough texture when cooked, the firm tofu that I use in this recipe retains its silkiness and does a great job of absorbing the marinade and the flavors of the spinach. I also don't deep-fry the tofu as one would the paneer. Instead, I shallow fry it in just about a tablespoon of oil which gives the same golden-brown results.
My Creamy Vegan Palak "Paneer" is quite delectable and would stand up quite easy. And what's more, this dish really is good for you.

Ingredients
Palak                            -1bunch
Paneer/Tofu                  -250gms
Green chillys                 -4 no
Tomato                        -1 small(chopped)
Zeera/cumin seeds       -11/2tsp
Onion                          -1small(sliced)
Garlic                          -1 no
Oil                              -2tbsp

Method

• Fry the tofu/paneer with little oil and keep aside.
• Rinse the palak leaves and put in the kadai and pour enough water till the palak leaves sink and bring to boil.
• when it boils turn the leaves upside down and again allow it to boil for 1 min.
• Then immediatly transfer the palak leaves into a bowl of cold water.(this is to retain the colour of palak leaves for not becoming dark green).
• Next in a pan heat 1 tbsp of oil and add the cumin seeds,garlic,onion.green chillies.saute it for a while.then add the tomatoes and salt.
• Saute for a while and switch of the flame.Allow to cool.
• Then put the palak leaves into the mixer.Along with that tranfer the onion tomato ingredients also to the mixer and make puree of it.
• Transfer to the bowl and add the fried paneer or tofu into the puree.
• Garnish with yogurt.You can serve this with chappathi,rice or dosa.