Palak Paneer

Directions

For the Paneer

1. Pan fry the paneer

2. Cut the paneer into small pieces. Usually, I slice the block of paneer into about 1/3-inch slices. Then, I take each slice of paneer and cut it into smaller pieces. 

3. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half of the paneer pieces and pan fry until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle a small pinch of salt over the paneer before flipping them over. Then, pan fry the other side until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer the fried paneer to a plate. 

4. Add another 1 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil to the skillet and repeat the pan frying step above. I’ve found that the second batch usually takes less time because the pan is quite hot at this point. Transfer the remaining fried paneer to the plate.

For the Cashew Cream

1. To make the cashew cream add 1 cup of raw cashews to 1 cup of hot water and soak the cashews for 20-30 minutes. In a high-speed blender, add the soaked cashews, water, lemon juice, vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Blend until very smooth, then pour over the vegetables in the pan.

For the Spinach Sauce

1. Add washed spinach to a blender. Blend the spinach for about 10 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the blender and blend again for another 10 seconds. Leave the chopped spinach in the food processor .

2. Heat a large skillet with 2 tablespoons of ghee or safflower oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook them for about 3 minutes, until they start to soften. Next, add the minced ginger, garlic, and cumin seeds and cook for 30 seconds. Then, add the garam masala, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Stir to coat the onions with the dried spices. Add onion mixture to the blender and combine with spinach.

3. Transfer the spinach and onion mixture back into the skillet. Next, add the cashew cream and salt. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium.

4. Add the pan-fried paneer to the spinach sauce. Turn off the heat.

5. Serve the palak paneer with rice or your favorite bread, such as oatmeal flatbread

For the Flatbread

1. Soak oats in water for an hour

2. Pour the oats and water into a high speed blender and add salt

3. Blend until there are no visible oats left

4. Pour a thin layer of the mixture onto a medium heat pan (think of it like a crepe)

5.  Cook 3-4 minutes each side

6. Once it begins to puff up it is done and ready to come off the pan